62.-64. Day - Slide into the New Year

Fortunately, we still find a spot at a campsite after being turned away at two others. The festive New Year's Eve dinner (potato goulash with bread roll) unfortunately had to be eaten without sausages... (reason: undefined mass of the sausage) - still tasted good though.

Later, we drive to the center of the evening events, to Wanaka, where we are surprised to see that the crowds have suddenly disappeared. However, it doesn't take long for them to emerge (or stagger) from the many campsites. After a policewoman also can't answer our question why there are mainly drunk, scantily clad teenagers here, we simply take note of it and concentrate on the live music by the lake. Strangely enough, despite the public alcohol ban, we come across some 'ladies' seeking the attention of men. A discreet fireworks display marks the end of the year and the start of a new one.

On New Year's Day, the journey continues overnight through the ski areas in the Cardrona Valley ('Bradrona', with the bra fence) to Arrowtown and then to Queenstown.

Once we arrive there, we immediately get ready to hike up the local mountain, Ben Lomond. The view makes the effort worthwhile and during a break in the grass, we observe the countless tourists engaging in various activities (street luge, paragliding, ziplining).

At the equally crowded campsite, we are surprised late at night by how brazen some people can be. At 11 p.m., we are awakened by people with headlamps walking around our car. It seems to be common in France to park one's car and tent separately and to walk around a stranger's car 20 times...

But oh well, on Tuesday we use the day to drive along the beautiful road from Queenstown to Glenorchy. Once again, the weather is perfect and we can enjoy the almost cloudless view of Lake Wakatipu.

In the evening, we escape the madness of the crowds in Queenstown and continue to the next lake, Lake Te Anau. On the way, we quickly jump into the cool water to maintain personal hygiene ;)

From Te Anau, we will visit Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound by boat in the coming days, which we are looking forward to very much (to get an idea beforehand, just google it ;).

It's hard to believe, but the trip is slowly coming to an end. That's why we have been dealing with selling the car for a few days now, and it looks good that we will get a fair price for our Wish. Keep your fingers crossed for us :)