Queenstown

16-19.02

Back in the crazy city, Queenstown!!

Having done a lot of walking/hiking the last few days, I decided to spend my first day there not doing too much, relaxing by the lake and making Ariel a little lighter by sending some stuff home. But once again, relaxing day turn into let's go for a run since I'm not going exploring today... So 5miles later with 1.5 of them uphill, it didn't feel so much like a relaxing day anymore!!

Queenstown

Today, February 17, is wine tasting tour, so excited!!
I don't drink a lot of wine, but NZ wine has a really good reputation and I want to give it a try, see if it is as good as everybody say.

The central Otago region is well known for its Pinot Noir. It around 80% of what is produced here and the only red wine they make. The climate of the area only allow them to grow those grapes. They also make some Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Rosé.
We visited 4 winery, 4-5 tasting in each one (good thing I wasn't driving).

We started at the Gibbson Valley, the biggest producer of the region. We had a tour with the visit of their underground cave, loved it!! And they have a cheesery next door!!!

Next was Waitiri Creek. Smaller place, with an old church brought from a small town near Dunedin as degustation building.

Third stop was Mt Rosa. The owner used to breed sheep, but the industry is not was it used to be and decided to switch to wine. I have to say the wine there was ok, but not as good as the other places.
The owner transformed the old shed for his sheep into tasting room.

And next and final stop was at Amisfield. Not much to say about it, good wine...

Like I say at the beginning, it was good that I wasn't driving. I had a good day and planning on doing more of wine tasting on my way back north :)

This bring us on the next day. For some raison I decided to hike up to Ben Lomond Mount.
Lets go back to yesterday. So after the wine tasting, back in town, got some food and went by the lake. It was quiz night at the hostel and participating to those activities is always a good way to meet people. So I ended up going out afterward, in bed by 2:00am and yea up at 8:00 for an 6-8hour hike. Sometime I wonder what is wrong with me...

So, Ben Lomond happend to be the steepest hike I've done so far. More than once I was thinking that I should just turn around, this was stupid and my legs were hurting. BUT I'm not a quitter and I made it to the summit.
All of that pain was worth it. Great view, didn't wanted to go down.

Ben Lomond, summit 1748m

At first I thought I was dreaming, but no, it's a goat up there...

Quenstown and the Remarkables

Lake Wakatipu

Waking up the next morning, my leg were almost as sore as when I run a Half-marathon.
I wanted to get my legs some rest, but after spending my morning relaxing, I got bored... So, I decided to go for a bike ride. The hostel I'm staying at (which is the best I've been to so far) has some bikes you can use for free :).  They are Trek mountain bike, so I thought great, it's going to be a rally nice ride!! The ride was nice, but the bike need some maintenance: the brake barely works, couldn't use the lowest front gear (wouldn't move down) and it was making a squeaky sound when I was pedaling (need some grease). But at the same time, can't complain when it's free...

I went along the Kawarau River to Lake Hayes. It wasn't an easy ride, but i enjoyed to be back on a bike :)

 

Lake Hayes

Lake Hayes

The Remarkables on the left and Kawarau River

This was my last day in Queenstown. Tomorrow back on the bus to start my way back up north.