johnp's blog

From kiwis to a banquet in the sky

December 19th, 2009

It was quite a break to have a day on two feet instead of two wheels for a change. We trawled the chemists of the town looking for anti frizz products for L’s hair and then spent the rest of the day at the Kiwi centre where after sitting waiting patiently in the dark with 25 strangers (kiwis are nocturnal so the viewing gallery is pitch black) it turned out to be the wrong place, JP saved the day by going outside and figuring out we were in the wrong hut and taking the 25 to the place where the Kiwis were REALLY being fed. How long the other people would have sat there in the dark in silence we shall never know. What a strange bird, looked like a slightly off balance 2 legged guinea pig. Another strange beast was the Tuatara, an endangered lizard which has 3 eyes in it’s juvenile state and can live for up to 300 years. We also saw the Brown Teal duck now only found on Campbell Island where it has no predators, just as well as being flightless it would be a sitting duck!!! The heavens opened big time while we were there, accompanied by strong winds which we were used to but the residents of Queenstown obviouly weren’t. By the time we got back to the B&B, via the world’s worst crepe, Isobel and her neighbours were wrestling with the huge wooden parasol which had blown over on top of the bike. Luckily it hadn’t caused any damage.
In the evening we travelled up Bob’s Peak by cable car to a 6 course banquet at the top. Not sure we did it justice only being able to manage soup, salad, 2 main courses, dessert and cheese. Decided we needed to return the next day as the view was obscured by cloud.

Entry Filed under: New Zealand,Uncategorized,motorbikes