Today was the drive to Manapouri on the edge of Fiordland. Thankfully, large chunks of the drive were boring, so we were able to make it here before dark.
The contrast between hip and happening Wanaka and sleepy Manapouri would only be more extreme if they weren't both next to lakes! It seems like a good thing that we're only here one night prior to the two day kayak trip in Doubtful Sound. The weather in Wanaka was glorious sunshine, whereas Fiordland is a bit parky! The bar-tender had a rather interesting shaved head / mullet combo, and seemed a little confused by the till, and the concept of both of us wanting the same sized 'Wild buck' lager.
The drive down took us through one of the most touristy places either of us has ever been to. Arrowtown. It was a gold rush town that now sports "New Zealand's quaintest little pharmacy"! There was a single historic main street, about 100m long, but it had about 3 layers of car parking surrounding it.
I think that we have exhausted our quota of tourism for the next few weeks, and head back into the wilds.
Next stop, Doubtful Sound, so named because Captain Cook felt that if he sailed in, he doubted that he would be able to get out. This was a historic moment for the region, topped only the fact that this will be Hannah's first camping experience!
I'm claiming Captain Cook as a long-lost ancestor too. I have no evidence to support this, but, hey, it's not as if Cook is a common surname....
ReplyDeleteSounds doubtful, Samuel, ho ho.
ReplyDeleteQuaintest Little Pharmacy sounds as though it would want to make one YeOlde Quaintest Little Chuck Up!
Good luck with the tent. Just as well you expended so much in-tent in meaning to try it out...
Doubtful, certainly, but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence!
ReplyDelete