Finally, inevitably got me. From now on, “a 3 on my back” will be the lowest number to start with. I spare you all the thoughts and realisations that came with that date. But what I won t spare you are some impressions from our fantastic trip to Queenstown last weekend. New Zealand IS a beautiful place! And we just realised, that we can reach some real mountains in a few hours drive. Good news!
Some hightlights from the weekend:
We started the trip having the worst weather possible. In Dunedin, it was pouring and cold when we got into the car. One hour drive later, the sky cleared up… there were blue bits and pieces… no clouds… first glimpses of sun and after two hours or so the impressive landscape was framed by blue sky.
Expecting a skype call with my brother, we stopped in a small town to get wifi. When the call finally came in, there was not only my brother, but also my parents, Andrea, Corina and Nadja waving into the camera! What a fantastic surprise! Thanks again- made me very happy to see you all and have a chat!
Next stop was somewhere close to Queenstown and fairly unexpected: Next to a lake were some large party tents put up, a busy crowd and a board saying “Garage Sale”. Thats a good reason for a quick break. Seemed like the whole town had cleaned our their garages to present their unnecessary belongings to each other. After buying a spray can (to fight some lice in our garden) for 50 cents, the friendly people guarding the exits told me to feel free to fill up the whole bag with whatever we wanted. Great! Out we came with about 10 ugly cups (to finally quit some ridiculous discussion about using cups in our flat), a trash bin, a clothes horse, various cables and plugs (Louie), a jug, a tiny fence for the garden and broad smiles on our faces.
Queenstown: Wow! Interlaken- just with a few more shops offering adventures around the place. Shops after shop selling top end souvenirs and heaps of (Asian) Tourist ready to buy and spend. Queenstown borders to Lake Wakatipu- a pretty big lake confined by rough, bare mountains. We are here to meet a girl who wants to sell her mountain bike. After a test ride, a chat and some 40 minutes to think about it later I finally spent the money and am now owning a pretty good beginner bike ready to rock.
A brand new bike rack later we are on the way to a doc campground nearish the buzzing tourist town. A narrow road curves up through forest into a higher valley, ruled by sheep and cows and decorated with a few pretty little lakes.
After setting up the tent we decide to go for a first ride.. you know… just for about an hour, around the lake maybe and the back to camp.
That was the plan.
We didn t stick to it.
We didn t call the helicopter though. For all of you who occasionally ride a bike: Downhill can be really fun, isn t it? And once you rode down a bumpy gravel road, your motivation to push the bike back up is around zero. “Oh- and there is another interesting curve coming. And look at that track over there- that looks amaazing!Lets try it out!”
You know what happened. Turning around was soon enough no viable option anymore. So following the track remained as the only option. The (truly amazing) trail led us back down to Lake Wakatipu. At 7pm. After getting lost in a Mountainbike trail park we finally get back onto the main street from where we should branch off into the Moke Lake Valley. Unfortunately the information map is wrong and we bike into the wrong direction. Almost dark now, Louie is having back pain and the perspective to ride back up to the campground on two full suspension bikes is not exactly charming.
This is the moment for a hero to show up. Our hero lives in a small hut with the most amazing views and drives a small with car. He volunteers to take Louie back up to the camp, so he can come back and pick me and the bikes up. What a good Scottish mate!
Some emergency petrol a nightfall and three hours after departure, we reach our tent and celebrate the day with food and wine.
Next day: climbing up a very steep hill next to camp, go for a good ride in the mentioned mountain bike part and enjoy the drive home.
Awesome weekend: Check!
