Lake Wakatipu…..

by Mandeep Gaygoat

After breakfast we headed over to the city centre to have a look at the underwater observatory, the guide book said it was free, they actually charged NZ$5.00, being true backpackers we decided not to part with our money so had a wander around the lakeside. We saw people disembarking the steam powered TSS Earnslaw, this has been cruising the lake for 100 years now.

Afterwards we popped into Patagonia Chocolates to use the internet and for their hot chocolate, which is much talked about but not that good! O well at least the internet is fast and we got a lot of work completed! We decided to return to Fergburger, Sangeet had fries, I had falafel burger and onion rings, totally unhealthy but goooood!! We sat overlooking the lake and Sangeet ate her fries and I had a few onion rings, I decided to eat the rest at the hostel. We saw Tammy from the hostel walk by and invited her to join us. We all chatted for a while then I walked back to the hostel whilst Sangeet popped back into town to get some sunscreen and foot rescue for me….the hot weather has made my skin break, so much that it now hurts to walk!

Patagonia chocolates:

Old fashioned sweet shop

At the hostel the manager Cindy was looking at this blog and commented on the good work.

When Sangeet got back from town we drove to Glenorchy, a very small town, a complete opposite to the bustle of Queenstown. It is about 45 minutes away from Queenstown and the journey there is spectacular. After walking onto the jetty and talking to a French family who have been living in Papeete in French Polynesia, we wandered around the tiny little town and then walked over to Foxy’s Cafe where we both ordered a hot chocolate. Again I have had better!!

The drive to Glenorchy:

Glenorchy

Foxy’s cafe

We then drove to Kinloch, the only thing in this town was a small motel. I would definitely recommend this town, especially if you enjoy the peace and quiet and stunning lakeside views.

Drive to Kinloch


Untreated road

Kinloch

As it was getting late and the sun would soon be setting we headed back to Queenstown and to the supermarket called Freshchoice

Freshchoice
64 George Road
Queenstown
New Zealand

where we stocked up on a few items for this evening snacks, soup, crackers and Brie.

In the common room we (Tammy, Ruth, Sangeet and I) watched Bad Boys 2, a lighthearted movie. Earlier in the day, Sangeet asked Ruth what her favourite movie is, Ruth replied that she really enjoyed the French movie “The Intouchables”, I had never heard of it. Apparently it is a true story about how a paralysed man who employed a ‘nurse’ who showed no sympathy and brought so much richness to his life. It sounds like a good movie and we said we would keep an eye out for it.