उजवाडाक आयलां: 03.04.2018
Yesterday we set off towards "Queenstown". On the drive, the nature of New Zealand once again showed how diverse it can be. From snow-capped mountains to endless green meadows with sheep and cow herds, and large lakes with clear water, we were offered a lot. After several photo stops, we reached "Lake Wakatipu", where we took a slightly longer break. The last kilometers to Queenstown were always along the lake. There were frequent opportunities to stop for a photo. When we soon reached Queenstown, we first turned into a ski area. The mountain range "The Remarkables" lives up to its name - it looks really "remarkable". After our car struggled up a few meters in altitude, a beautiful view of the city and its airport opened up. We spent nearly an hour at this magnificent viewpoint before continuing. We still had to do some shopping for the next few days and we hadn't found accommodation for the coming night yet.
Since the weather was getting better during the day, we decided to bypass Queenstown for now and continue to "Glenorchy". But to get there, we had to drive straight through the city center of Queenstown. During the drive, we got a feeling for how touristy the city really is. The sidewalks and streets were crowded. People were everywhere. But we safely reached the "Glenorchy Road", which, like the "Milford Road", is one of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand. There were great views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. We would like to highlight one stop in particular: We stopped by the roadside, and in front of us, a true postcard motif unfolded! At "Bennett's Bluff Lookout", you have a fantastic view of a long range of mountains that line the blue lake. Simply amazing.
After another ten minutes, we reached the campground. It is located right on the main road and is part of the "General Store" in Glenorchy. From the camping spot, you have a good view of the neighboring mountains, provided they are not, like for us, mostly obscured by clouds.
For dinner, we treated ourselves to homemade burgers. While we were preparing and eating them in the kitchen, another rain front passed over us. Sometimes the weather here in New Zealand can drive you crazy. But what did a Kiwi lady once advise us? "Wait five minutes and you will like the weather again." And after just a few minutes, the rain moved away and the sun came out. When Tobi quickly went to the car to get some dish soap, he spotted a large, vibrant rainbow. Each color was clearly visible. One couldn't stop staring. It was breathtaking!