Sailed past Queenstown and the Remarkables mountain range, the name of which amused me to no end. I picture cartoon characters hashing out half-witted plans to save the earth/a dog/themselves from impending doom. The reality is far less comical and much more beautiful, but I was happy to let my imagination run with it.
Coasted (literally – needle was past E) into Te Anau, having driven through pouring rain, fog, mist that we suspect was turning to snow on the mountain peaks nearby, glorious sunshine and what seemed like gale force winds – looks like that Taranaki wind found us after all! And all that in less than 6 hrs. Crowded House wasn’t kidding when they sang about 4 seasons in one day. Thank you, iTunes, for choosing today to play that song.
Turns out we’re not crazy about Te Anau. It’s a take-it-or-leave-it kind of place for us. But the one amazing thing it does have going for it is a little shop called Miles Better Pies, serving up potentially life-altering (and most certainly waistline-altering) pies. Thai chicken? Still salivating.
Evening saw The Battle of Lower Eglinton – Sandfly Massacre.
Campers: 30, Sandflies: 4
Summary of the drive from Te Anau to Milford and back to Queenstown:
“Creek!”
” Shed!”
“Waterfall!”
“Oooooh….!”
… and repeat.
Temperatures dropped far lower than expected as we camped near Milford Sound. Four layers, plus sleeping bag liner and sleeping bag. Probably could’ve done with another two. And to think: I thought I wouldn’t have much use for a sleeping bag. Yikes.
Grateful for: gas stations at the bottoms of hills, Miles and his genius pies, the death of 30 sandflies (and cursing the 4 that snuck past us), my sleeping bag
