We left Queenstown to make a quick stop at the nearby town of Arrowtown for some morning coffee and pastries. I went to Patagonia Chocolates because they had the best ice cream yet! I had some the other night with Katie and Kinsey! I knew they had really good chocolates so I figured I'd start my morning with coffee and chocolate, why not!?
Next up was a stop at Gibbston Valley Winery. Remember how I mentioned that the valley is prime area for vineyards and orchards, well we got to have a taste of the fruit in its alcohol form before noon! It was raining this morning so we did not get to look at the vines, but instead entered the Wine Cave where the wine is aged in barrels. We had a very nice tour and tasting of Pinot Gris, Riesling, and their famour Pinot Noir blend. They were all really good but I liked the Pinot Noir the best. It was a red blend from seven of their orchards with a drier taste. I like drier reds versus sweet whites and reds. I've really been wanting to do some winery tours in Nebraska because we actually have some pretty decent wineriers around the Lincoln and Grand Island area. So there is another thing to add to my bucket list!
On site they also have a cheesery where we got to taste several different cheeses. I enjoyed the Balfour cheese the best. It is made from sheeps milk versus cows milk. Sheeps milk has less lactase which means less bloating and less issues for lactose intolerant individuals. Since I am a huge cheese and cracker fan I bought some Balfour, multigrain crackers, and a variety pack of sausage slices to enjoy the next few days.
After the morning tour we had a small lunch of pizza and stuffed bread and then it was back on the bus for yet another 4 hour drive south to Te Anau.
That evening we arrived at Glenkylie Farm which is owned by Rex and Audrey Stevenson whom are our host Heather's in-laws. They have a dry stock and cropping farm in the Southland region of New Zealand. It was a gorgeous evening, a wee bit on the chilly side. They were so kind and knowledgable of their operation. They really have quite a story from where they were as farm workers to moving about four times, sending their two young boys to boarding school in order to make their dream of owning and running their own farm come true! From wintering crops to dairy heifers and dry cows to Stabilzer beef used to cross with their dairy cows for easier calving, it was a unique operation that they were so proud of and more than willing to share with us.
Since I obviously enjoy taking pictures I asked Audrey if it would be ok for me to hop into the paddocks and get some photos of the cattle. She joined me and I was able to snap a few good ones. They do a lot of hands on labor like my family so their cattle were fairly calm and curious. Made me miss home and my cattle a little bit.
That evening they prepared a delicious BBQ with several meats and salads and of course the traditional New Zealand dessert of Pavola! We all went back to the backpackers in Te Anau with a full stomach and true appreciation for hard work and a strong marriage!
DAY 16
Another chance to sleep in! Met a group of people at the reception office of the backpackers at 9:30 and heading into town at 10 to look around and find an early lunch before loading the bus at noon for our Milford Sound cruise.
It was about a two and a half hour drive which we stopped at a few place along the way for pictures and toilet breaks. We had entered Fjordland National Park, the largest in New Zealand basically stretching from the central west coast all the way to the south border. We got to Milford Sound at about 2:45 and loaded the cruise boat at 3:10. It was so picturesce with the mist falling, sun shining, waterfalls everywhere, and we even got to see some fur seals. It is considered the eighth world wonder.
On our way back from the Tasman Sea we stopped at the Underwater Observatory. It is not an aquariam because everything is naturally exisiting and can come and go as they please. In the sound they experience what is called deep water emergence. The way the land lays allows the sea water to sit beneath the fresh water creating a climate like the deep sea but is actually only about 4-10 meters from the surface. So we were able to see some deep sea creatures and the prominant one was black coral. Black coral is actually white when it is alive and turns black when it dies.
Yet, another interesting adventure in the books. We headed back to Te Anau where I went to chinese with Grant, Haley, Steven, Lauren, Will, and Kinsey. It kind of hit the spot before hitting the hay for the evening.
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