Every good departure deserves a decent send off and so it was I found myself at a beachside BBQ last week prior to setting off for the South Island to watch the boys row. Jamey and Cath had prepared quite a feast as we cooked, sang and enjoyed the evening scene at our neighborhood Tay Street beach, taking advantage of the gas grills provided!
Can you find Maggie running amongst the dunes in this photo below? She loves to follow trails through the tall grass and sand. (Look left side, middle, below surfer w board)
camp songs anyone??!!
Our merry minstrel Jamey! Oh how we love her!
Scary selfy anyone?
Can't get enough of this backyard!
Not a bad location for our meal!
And a quick drive over to Pilot Bay to catch the sunset. Did not disappoint.
Had been warned there was not much in Twizl, the town of the hydroelectric plant and all, but we planned to stay for a bit and then explore the area as well. So off we flew under the cover of darkness...
Great airport in Christchurch, getting ready for Cricket World Cup in a year. The airport showed little sign of the earthquake damage I had heard so much about, seems it was under remodel at the time anyway.
Rented a dent of a car, and took a bit of a tiki tour through the town. Downtown was quite a surprise. As we drive from the airport, the scene got more and more grim. By the time we were downtown, there were large orange cones and temporary chain linked fencing everywhere. Not a single street was without some obstruction, and most buildings sat in a state of disrepair. Very little sign of things being rebuilt. What I recalled from years ago as a vibrant city with neat historic buildings where one was eager to get out and explore, seemed more like a deserted wasteland. And the quakes were over 2 years ago. I understood now why so many people I had met up north from CC had moved away. There was no city center left, the pulse was gone. Sad.
Liked this store front though!
By Wed afternoon we arrived in Twizl, home now to over 2500+ athletes and the parents, coaches and support crew to go along with them!
We went quickly to Lake Ruataniwha to see the scene. Still early in the week of competition, we arrived in time to watch many semi final heats of the various age groups and classes. Having rowed myself in college in an 8 and a 4, both with sweep (only one) oars, it has been interesting to see that here in NZ there is much more sculling (two oars). Jack and Noah got to row in a U 15 doubling scull, and then also in a Quad. I think fielding an 8 boat is more challenging for some of the schools. There were approx 150 schools signed up to compete at this event!! Races commenced early and went on all day every 6-8 minutes in a steady stream. The entire week was a build up to Sat when the finals would take place, with the ultimate competition being for the Maadi Cup trophy, this being a U18 boys 8 sweep boat. Having just read the excellent book, Boys in the Boat, I was even more inspired by what we saw! Here are only some of the tents that are set up by parents to keep boys out of sun and from which to feed them during the day.
These are the Tauranga Boys College rower waiting to cheer on their mates. 8 lanes for boats for the 2000 m course.
More of the support tents, like its own little city!
Having promised my boys we would not hang around their scene too much, Thursday AM we were off again to explore a bit of the South Island. Under cloudless skies, we headed west to the illustrious Queenstown--home of the adrenaline sports! The most popular tourist spot in all of NZ.
The drive allowed us to see the Mackenzie Plains, NZ equivalent of WY. Lots of sheep mustering going on here, home of the Merino Sheep producing all of your warm merino clothing.
Here are the clay cliffs we stopped at for a quick look. After living in NM was not too impressed, but it is a contrast to the plains surrounding.
It was in a place like this where some of Lord of the Rings was filmed. In fact all over this island small towns claim a bit of fame as the backdrop to a scene or two. Amazing to us to drive on and on and see very little sign of habitation. Lots of sheep farms however!!
And just when we needed a break, a sweet little town (cafe, shop and gas station!), and yes another site for LOTR filming!, popped up, so coffee/tea and a nibble to suffice us until the next stop.
Seems having large sculptures to welcome visitors to one's town here is very common. We encountered large salmon, trout, fruit such as this, even a gum boot.
And before we knew it, we were on the outskirts of Queenstown and the fun was just beginning. First stop, the famous bridge where the bungey craze first began. A 43 meter jump off the bridge behind us into the cool river waters. We opted out of the jump (it is a bit of a racket, $180 one jump!) but watched a few yahoos take their turn.
Next stop Arrowtown, small gold mining town just outside of Qtown. Seems to make it as the quieter, more low key sister to the hustle of the tourist mecca. Cute, quaint, reminiscent of many a small Colorado town that has had a tourist redo. Got ourselves a picnic to enjoy on the glorious day and wandered the shops. Candy store was most colorful!
Queenstown welcomed us with every adrenaline laden opportunity one can imagine, and we were game for none. I was able to convince Cath to ride the gondola up the hill with me for a bigger view of the town, lake and surroundings. No question this town is the tourist center, they were everywhere and this was only shoulder season. Once the ride was over, we relaxed near lakeside with glass of famous NZ Sauv Blanc, more nibbles, and many laughs.
Somewhere along this trip we found ourselves watching reruns of Game of Thrones with all of its head slicing drama. One too many episodes the night before and I was drinking coffee for bfast the next day.
Love a good flat white, esp at Cafe Vudu.
Leaving Queenstown, we drove across the mtns toWanaka, another quiet lakeside town surrounded by big peaks. Lovely spot!
Lake Wanaka on a busy afternoon!
To finish off our little loop adventure, we stopped in for a hot soak in some amazing hot tubs in Omarama, of more merino wool fame.
From the outside a pretty innocuous place, but inside a dreamy oasis. We got the wellness spa which allowed us our own private wood fired hot tub , filled with fresh glacier water, and private sauna. Looking out over small lake with water fowl, we found ourselves oh so relaxed!
Here's Rodney giving us the intro to the tub while putting in more wood.
And now that we were relaxed, had watched all the GOT episodes we had, it was time to get back to rowing. Saturday was finals for all of the various events. Wanting to catch it all, we walked to the start to see it all evolve. Here are the U17 girls 8's going for gold!
Sitting at the start, there is quite a ritual of sitting ready, adjuring boats, waiting for the gun to go off.
And off they go…
A 2000 meter race will take anywhere from 6-8 minutes depending on conditions and strength of the crew. A long hard sprint!
Here is the actual start and by weeks end they had held over 600 races.
As we followed the race along the course, we encountered many seats for supporters.
And there even trucked in a big screen TV so we could all watch the entire race. Here are some U-17's on camera as coming down the course
Lots of medals given out during this week, here are St Margaret's U 16 quads, love the spandex!
Go Team NZ!!
Here are a few shots of the boat yard where all the action was behind the scenes.
And the grand finale! The U-18 8 men's boat final going for the Maadi Cup trophy. The crowds swelled to see this big event. It was the big draw for all of us and it would all be decided in a matter of minutes. Hamilton boys were the favorites, last years' winners as well.
And here is Hamilton boys in red leading the way to take the trophy again!
Back at the High country Lodge where we stayed the boys kept track of their comings and goings by writing on the windows.
Cath and I took picnic to shores of Lake Pukaki one evening to see Mt Cook and watch the sunset. We were not disappointed!!
Mt Cook, Aoroki, the highest peak in the country!
By Sunday festivities wrapped up and we were back in Christchurch, me to fly home, and Cath to start her walk about towards Wellington and Auckland.
As we drove around town, more scenes of destruction from the quake. Of note, the mural in the background turns out to be from an artist from Tauranga, using spray paint to make his images. Very cool-check him out at www.owendibbie.com
Note the cracks in the building below with the top of a previous tower next to it.
And there she went, off on her own for her special walk about. And home I flew with the entire TBC team, boys were loving that!
A great time on the South Island, but happy to be going home!!
