We loaded up the bus and bid Lake Wanaka farewell this morning. Two more lakes to go today as we had midday in Queenstown and thenTe Anau in Fiordland as the final destination.
On the way we made a stop at Mrs. Jones fruit stand a wonderful and a bit historic fruit farm with a huge variety of delicious fruit. Doris Black plums were a favorite, and I also tried a new fruit that was a cross between a nectarine and an apricot: a harterine. I hope that one gets to the US soon. I’d award it a blue ribbon any day.
The next stretch-your-legs stop was not far from Queenstown, in a place named Arrowtown. This had been a gold mining town, and in addition to being by the Arrow river, it is historic for having been the site of a Chinese settlement. The Chinese arrived between 1866 and 1874, growing to number over 3500. Mostly from the poor Guangzhou delta, the early immigrants had good luck with their claims and returned home wealthy. Later immigrants did not fare as well and many were unable to return home. As the claims petered out, some immigrants moved to other parts of New Zealand to market farm. A few older men remained in this settlement. Even during its heyday, the Chinese were not treated well and did not integrate with the European miners. The buildings that have been preserved certainly represent a hard life.
Queenstown was the midday stop and we had about three hours to explore what has been called New Zealand’s most touristy town. It had many restaurants and pubs, and upscale boutiques alongside the typical tourist shops and New Zealand wool shops. While not terribly crowded, there were more people than we have been around of late. The setting is dramatically scenic, as the mountains end in a u-shaped valley and the large lake Wakatipu. In the winter it is a ski resort, so very popular for all four seasons.
We focused on walking around the botanical garden, which was really more like an arboretum park, with a special emphasis on conifers from other parts of the world. These trees grew really well! They were tall and had very healthy needles. So many conifers in northeastern NY are suffering with the hot summers, warmer winters, and invasive insects. New Zealand really grows things, though!
We also had a nice tapas lunch at a restaurant called Mementos.
Back on the bus for the last leg to Te Anau, which is far south, and on Lake Te Anu, and the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. It is well known and visited for its tramping and we’ll be off in the bush tomorrow.
