Road Trip Days 5-6: Glaciers, Mountains, Lambs.

So last we left off... Queenstown, snow. Like, we woke to this:

Of course, Queenstown. At least you're pretty.

The following 2 days were probably our most active, yet had the most driving, and the most lambs.

We left Queenstown fairly early and drove over the hill to Wanaka, a one hour drive away. Better weather greeted us in Wanaka, and we found ourselves lounging for quite some time on the lakefront before finally going on our hike.

The drive to the Rob Roy Glacier hike is so beautiful that if you didn't know what you were going for, you'd feel like the drive itself was enough:

Around every corner a mountain, a waterfall, a lush valley with happy sheep.

The Rob Roy Glacier track starts out with pasture land, where hikers must brave the stares of cows and sheep as they pass by.

And lambs!

Soon though, you see a swing bridge and are reminded you are in fact in NZ.

We did this hike once before in much different conditions. Last time, the clouds were low and it was drizzling off and on. I still thought it was one of the most beautiful hikes I had done, but on my second time, with good weather, I was completely dazzled. The contrast of ferns and beech forest to glaciers and snow, blue sky and blue water... it's breathtaking.

After our hike, we drove back in to Wanaka for pizza and beer (thank goodness that's a meal you can get nearly anywhere in the world!) and then hit the road for Dunstan Downs.

Dunstan Downs is a high country sheep station. They have over 8,000 merino sheep on their 30,000+ acres of land near Omarama. The land here is rugged, but the sheep are tough, and the people warm and welcoming. Dunstan Downs is owned by Tim and Geva Innes, who run a farm stay (in their home) as well as a backpackers accommodation.

Kim and I stayed in their home, and Geva cooked us an amazing breakfast in the morning while she explained to us what really goes on year-round on a high country merino sheep station. (Hint: lots.)

After breakfast we got to meet her four lambs: Dora, Lily, Friday, and Halloween (the latter two named after their birthdays). Geva explained that each year she acquires a few lambs who have been mis-mothered: either mom has died giving birth, or she has up and left them. Apparently merino sheep are rather delinquent mothers, and every year Geva has a handful of baby lambs to bottle feed.

So, as expected, meeting and feeding the lambs was the best thing ever. And I want them all.

Friday, Lily, and Halloween.

Halloween

Breakfast time!

Ok, full disclosure. I made a lamb video. I know, who does that?

I do. Here's my lamb video... CLICK ME.

I'm soooo full......

So after Kim and I were torn away from left the baby sheep, we headed north to Mt. Cook. We revisited the Hooker Valley Walk, which Scott and I did nearly 4 years ago on holiday but haven't been back to see. I had forgotten, again, how beautiful this part of the country is.

Drive to Mt. Cook, view of Cook across Lake Pukaki

This hike is fairly easy. It's 2-3 hours round trip, but has a minimal gradient and a wide, new pathway. We passed lots of families and tramping groups, yet still managed to feel like the only ones there at many moments as well.

Kim on the swing bridge.

At the end of the trail, hikers are deposited at a lookout over Mt. Cook and the Mt. Cook glacier. The glacier is a dingy, dirty thing that dead ends in this glacial pool:

Kim: "Coldest my feet have ever been, ever."

Icebergs. (Thats the glacier int he middle/background.)

The rarely un-obscured peak of Mt. Cook

Cool cloud formations as the weather changed on our hike back.

Looking back one last time at Cook and the alpine flora.

Kim and I then returned to Christchurch. I had 4 days of work, while she ventured to the West Coast. She saw black water caves with glow worms, flew in a helicopter and landed on the glaciers, and tramped around the Punakaki Pancake rocks. I don't have her photos of these things or I would shamelessly share them with you. So I guess ya'll will just have to come see those things for yourself!

Just Another Bike Ride

Today was one of the nicest days I've had off recently- sunny and clear without a bone chilling Southerly or Easterly or Sou'Westerly or any other Windy Whateverlys to speak of. I think it's nearly spring, and the presence of flowers and lambs is helping support this theory.

Anyways, nothing new and exciting to report (I just finished night shifts and have the mental capacity of a goldfish), so just a few photos from today.

My mountain bike is getting fixed, otherwise you'd be looking at a picture of it.

Look mom, no hands tan!

It won't be winter forever.

FOR MOM: BABY SHEEP (and what exactly do you think YOU are looking at?! Baa-aaa-ck off!)

Oh, and Scott also managed to get himself a short article in this month's New Zealand Mountain Biker (you know, that one he was on the cover of- proud wifey!). He tested and reviewed a couple of pairs of goggles. And got his stunning photo (by yours truly, in the 5 minutes we had to get it done after forgetting for several weeks) in the mag as well!

And what the heck, since this post has turned into me posting photos from my phone, I'd just like to mention that we went and checked out one of Christchurch's newest restaurants: Orleans. Since I've never actually been to New Orleans, I can't be impressed/offended by how authentic their food is/n't, but hot damn it is tasty!!! Among other delightfully fried foods, we had the chicken waffle. Which is exactly what it sounds like. And is divine.

Maybe if I had a new phone you could differentiate the food in this picture from what your cat barfed up on the bathmat. Oh well.

That's all from Christchurch for now guys!

They're Here!! Lambs that is. Lambs are here.

September 1 was the first day of spring, and apparently all the preggo sheep in town got the memo. It is officially lamb season. My bike ride yesterday was foiled by lamb sightings, lambs sleeping on the trail, lambs frolicking to and fro, lamb poop everywhere. But dang they are cute.

Don't get too attached to that tail, little one...

Mama sheep could not have looked more irritated by the constant attention.

I can still see you!!!

View from the top of our hill.

Spring has sprung!

Akaroa in the Winter

We've been to Akaroa once before, and we discovered tree houses can be a little creepy and it's completely acceptable for there to be a spider in one's cereal bowl. That of course has nothing to do with Akaroa, but until now was pretty much the defining memory of the place.

Well, last weekend we rented a little bach in Akaroa and spent some quality time with Scott's parents. (A bach is "a small, often very modest holiday home or beach house. Baches are an iconic part of New Zealand history and culture, especially in the middle of the 20th century, where they symbolized the beach holiday lifestyle that was becoming more accessible to the middle class" - thank you Wikipedia.) 

Actually, while I'm on the topic, I think bachs are a great way to stay during your travels in New Zealand. They are frequently the same price or cheaper than a hotel room ($100-$150 is average), and they will almost definitely provide more privacy, a kitchen, and a better view. The best website for finding a bach to stay at is Holidayhouses.co.nz, although I've also had good luck with Airbnb.com. The downside to the first website is you will either have to pay via NZ bank transfer (not an option if you are a foreigner), or arrange to pay cash at some point which could be tricky. Airbnb allows for credit card payments, but they are sneaky and skim off a bit of a fee for themselves. Regardless, I've had great luck with both websites.

Our bach in Akaroa

So you can see- they're frequently nothing fancy- although honestly this one was a bit more modest than many. Anyways, there's my travel tip for the day.

Moving on. Scott and his folks drove to Akaroa on Saturday morning while I stayed behind to work (story of my life). They took a beautiful drive along the ridge and enjoyed the stunning coastline, and did a little off-roading in his poor Subaru. Things belonging to Scott must be tough. 

This was not the slippery, greasy spot they almost got stuck at...

Yep, it was foggy and windy and frankly not very warm. It is the middle of winter after all... You can easily spot the fog layer that stubbornly blanketed the top of the hills all weekend.

On Sunday we hiked through a beautiful park in central Akaroa. We were lucky enough to see some Fantails. They're funny little birds to watch. They flit and swoop and hop around a lot, and are basically impossible to catch in a photo. They can't weigh more than a couple of grams, which allows them to do silly things like hang upside-down from the branches while fanning their tails and showing off.

Stay still you little bugger.

You're not helping.

Sitting still is clearly not an option

Right when I thought all the cute-ness was over for the weekend, the next thing happened while we were driving through the country. Lambs. That's right mom, it's lamb season!!! And not only did we see itty bitty baby lambs, they were little black lambs. Which for some reason, is the cutest thing that has ever happened. Unfortunately we couldn't get very close to them, so these pics are the best I could get...

I know, you can't really see a thing. But they were adorable.

We discovered during this trip that Akaroa basically shuts down during the winter. About 50% of the restaurants and shops are completely shut, even on the weekends, leaving the wary winter traveler with limited options. We weren't able to share our favorite restaurant with Scott's parents, which was a bit disappointing. On the other hand though, travel is cheaper this time of year. So I guess you have your trade-offs.

Looking down on Akaroa town

We took the scenic route back to Christchurch, which still only takes about 90 minutes. I really cant complain about how many wonderful spots there are within an hour or two of our city!