Unexpectedly Awesome
‘The best things in life are unexpected – because there were no expectations.’ – Eli Khamarov.
In my last post, I wrote about some of the things I’ve done in New Zealand that were, frankly, a bit of a let-down. They were thing I’d been really looking forward to, but in reality they were anti-climactic and I was left feeling deflated rather than thrilled afterwards.
Banks Peninsula
fancy a soggy holiday. At the last minute, I changed my plans to head over to the east coast instead and spend a couple of days in Christchurch. It was then that the idea to go to Banks Peninsula for a night popped into my head. I was travelling with L at this point, a girl I’d met on the Abel Tasman hike and who agreed to come to the east coast rather than the west to avoid the worst of the rain. It turned out we got on really well, made great travel partners and we ended up having the best time on Banks Peninsula.
forecast was looking beautiful, and we set off from Christchurch early the next day. We would be camping, but had not booked any site anywhere, and had complete freedom as to where we ended up. The drive into Banks Peninsula took a turn for the beautiful when we chanced it and turned off Highway 75 onto a much narrower country road, with the asphalt eventually giving way to gravel for much of the journey. We climbed higher and higher and were at last subjected to fantastic panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean to our east and the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps (in the far distance) to our west. The drive was great – really scenic and we felt like we were getting properly off the beaten track.
Akaroa definitely did not have the rugged beauty that you find around
Wanaka and Queenstown, nor the notoriety of the West Coast, but the peninsula and township unexpectedly stole my heart and, as we drove away two days later, headed for Queenstown, I felt a definite tug at my heart strings, a longing to come back soon. It was definitely somewhere I’d gone where I did not expect a lot, and came away pleasantly surprised by how awesome it was.
Luging in Queenstown
town, it’s usually with a lot of grey clouds overhead and some chilly rain
falling. I have grown to like Queenstown a lot more than I first did, but I
can’t shake away those images of rain! It was no exception on the day I arrived back in Queenstown with my Stray companions.
The group I was closest to had little interest in bungy jumping and so
on (beyond a quick canyon swing, as you do). Instead, we decided to grab a ride on the gondola up Ben Lomond and go luging. We got cheap deals on bookme and away we went. The rain was quite heavy and by the time we
reached the bottom of the gondola we were all quite wet. I didn’t really know what to expect from the afternoon, and was therefore not overly excited.
I’m afraid of heights, so my first thoughts were about the nerve-wracking
journey in the ski-type lift to the café / visitor centre, rather than on the
luge experience itself.
with yet another ski lift, and this time it was open to the elements with only
a bar to hold me in! However, I was determined to get to the top to do the
luging I’d paid for, so I buried my fear and hopped on. I think I spent most of the first ride up with my eyes closed!! I definitely did not look down, anyway. The views at the top were well worth it – despite the rain we could see rightacross Queenstown to the Remarkables beyond, half obscured by thick cloud. We were instructed on how to luge appropriately and safely and then sent off onthe beginners track to test the waters.
I know luging is not an activity designed to get your adrenaline pumping like, say, bungy jumping, but let me tell you, it is so much fun. As I reached the bottom of the beginners track after my first run, I was grinning from ear to ear and not even the thought of having to use the ski lift three more times (we had four runs) could dampen my spirits. We tried out the more advanced run next and then had a race on our third go. It was so much fun that we didn’t even really notice the rain, and by the time my fourth go on the ski lift came around I barely noticed the height and the fact I was being held in by a bar alone – I was just dying to get my final run in.
the visitor centre was definitely a good idea as well, and as we descended back down the mountain (my fear of the gondola somewhat abated) I realised it had actually been some of the best fun I’d had in a while. I think everyone felt the same!
Lake Aniwhenua – Maori Cultural Experience
with performed a cultural show for us, including the haka and poi displays. We laughed, played cards and drank lots of tea before all bedding down for the night, massive sleepover style, in the Marae. Despite all that though, and the interesting things we learnt, I came away feeling a little underwhelmed by the experience and considering not doing the second cultural exchange the following evening.
experience and that it was one of her favourite stops on the Stray tour.
Convinced, I stayed on the bus for the evening and I am so bloody glad I did!
real, family run business. Both of Karl’s parents are involved in running
activities, and Nadine and Karl’s beautiful daughter runs around, chats with
everyone, plays with you and puts you in your place if you step out of line. It’s like a little piece of home from home. As well as experiencing the
absolutely stunning setting (right on the banks of the lake itself), there are
activities to do including bread making, weaving and canoeing, or you can go hunting too. Most of us chose to weave or bake, since it was particularly cold when we were staying there, and it was really lovely sitting around making bracelets and bread and drinking a good cold Tui beer at the same time.
Not long after our arrival, the hangi was put into the ground to cook for two and a half hours. My stomach was rumbling with hunger by the time our supper was served. It was absolutely delicious – as well as the amazing hangi (pork, chicken, potatoes, vegetables and stuffing cooked over hot stones in the ground), there were a great choice of salads as well, and pudding afterwards too. Every mouthful was amazing!
Lake Aniwhenua, because at some point soon I’d like to dedicate a whole post to this beautiful place and the amazingly dedicated and passionate people who run it. I want to explain properly what happens there, not just skim over it. But needless to say, my stay at Lake Aniwhenua was my favourite stop on the North Island and I left the following morning feeling more relaxed and chilled out than I had in a while. I am so glad I chose to stay on the bus and visit – I would not hesitate to recommend the lodge to anyone.