A latish breakfast, this was the norm in Taipa, and we had decided to visit Te Anau town for some shopping and also find an internet provider who allows you to just dock your own computer as many don’t for so called security reasons.
We were successful and we were able to start planning and booking the next part of our trip. The next stop will be Wanaka or Lake Wanaka to be exact because the site we have chosen is six kilometres outside Wanaka which is fine for us as we like quiet places.
Here we intend to explore the route from Wanaka through some most amazing countryside to a place on the coast called Haast.
We have also booked, but are awaiting confirmation of a site in Christchurch as we are planning a train journey through Arthur’s Pass and it is easier to stay two nights in Christchurch rather than have a very, very early morning and drive for 80 minutes from Akaroa.
Following our internet time we went to a small local cinema which is showing a locally made film by a helicopter pilot who also has a strong interest in photography. The film is introduced by the lady who managers the projector (shades of the Swamp Palace Cinema here) who explained how the film came to be made and that it is only for showing locally although you can buy the DVD.
We both agreed upon leaving that it’s the most beautiful film which shows off the National Park in a most fantastic manner with some stunning photography and also jaw dropping helicopter flying, rather you than me mate said Noel. We have bought a copy of the DVD to remind us of this fabulous scenery so we will be offering regular showings in the Groves version of the famous Taipa ‘Swamp Palace’ called the ‘Piplin House Swamp Palace Theatre and Projection Cinema front room’ or something like that. All tickets will include a glass of good New Zealand wine.
Following a brief stop for a hot pie, a piece of carrot cake and tea we headed off lakeside to look at the boats and enjoy the scenery as the mountains across the other side of the lake are quite something. It’s possible to get a small boat who will drop you off on the opposite side of the lake to experience the ‘Kepler Path’ which only takes a full day. Other walks around here take up to two weeks in the wilderness and you need navigation equipment and also GPS to stop you getting lost.
A small amount of shopping then we headed back for a cup of tea and reading prior to having our dinner of ham and mushroom omelette with salad, boy are we healthy people. We have almost been off the booze for more than three weeks now apart from about four glasses of wine. This almost hurts.
