So, jammed in the back of the car next to my bag, (the car clearly was not designed to deal with extended road trips involving more than two or three people), we left Christchurch for the more glamourous Queenstown. On the way we stopped in Timaru to see some friends, and drove out of our way to see the epicenter of the recent earthquake, but were disappointed to find no colossal crack in earth, but a mended highway and re-done roadside.
Queenstown is as picturesque as you would expect by its reputation, and being on holiday we decided that a swim in the lake was in order. The problem is, no matter how warm the air is a lake fed by glaciers is never that warm. (Note the slightly pained expression on my face as I was entering the water). Nicolai put us all to shame getting in in a matter of seconds, though after a slow and painful acclimatization to the temperature Julie and I made it all the way in as well.
There was a quick one night in Wanaka after Queenstown, though there wasn't much time for more than anything but a moonlit walk on the beach, which was admittedly quite amazing on that particular night. Originally Nicolai has planned to stay with some friends in Wanaka for Christmas, (he isn't from New Zealand either and doesn't have family there) and he invited me to come along as well. However, after the night in Wanaka we needed to get Monica back to Queenstown to catch a plane, and Julie needed to head back home to Dunedin, and since it was a few days from Christmas yet Nicolai went along with Julie to stay at her family's place there for a couple days. Nicolai and I ended up enjoying ourselves in Dunedin so much that it wasn’t tough decision to stay with Julie’s family for Christmas when they invited us to do so. Thanks for a great Christmas guys!
P.S. The sandy white beach with the huge cliffs is Tunnel Beach just on the outskirts of Dunedin – amazing spot, though the incoming tide is merciless on your sandcastles/mountains.
