YOU CAN'T BE MAD WHEN YOU'RE DRINKING COCOA IN A FASCINATING LOCATION-
Our first priority after the morning hassle was to hot chocolate (this is now a verb!) at the Hobnail Café, where the little people get their caffeine. It wasn't the most amazing cup of choc but the froth in it was something else! Amy shared half her chocolate chip cookie with me -------- > that's the sign of true friendship.
CONNECTING WITH THE LAND -
Along State Highway 6, we trekked to the Glacier Valley and looked FAB while doing so, as only we can (!) through widespread wilderness on the manageable, even-surfaced forest track. Amy walked out halfway on the historic swing bridge without accident, purely for photos. It was built in 1929 at a cost of £1200, is 70 metres long and was prefabricated in England before being shipped overseas.
River walk was closed off due to flood damage and we didn't want to jeopardise our lives. In this domain, water levels can rise considerably and disastrously in just a quarter of an hour! The mistiness of the valley was next level unworldly and veiling mountain peaks maleficently. Why is it that I'm always in Fox during bad weather? I say always.. but mean on two separate occasions :D The conditions were not as impressive as the scenery.
Dangers of rock fall were round about the steep valley wall, glacial river and bedrock; marked signs warn all not to stop in likely unsafe zones. We decided against completing the terminal face walk (which I had done before) as we merely wanted a peak out at the ancient mounds of moraine and gravel. We would have plodded on but the tramp back would have been tough and it was a 10km round walk as it was without adding on the terminal face hike.
A brilliantly blue-green pool astonished us at the foot of the valley, shimmering vivaciously and bursting with natural beauty. Enchanting waterfalls trickled down the valley wall, catching our eye knee-deep in the middle of the rainforest. Perhaps they don't exist every day for the elements have no script to follow. All of this fabulosity in an exquisite but volatile habit wows everyone- how DOES nature do it?
As would rednecks, we ate on a boulder close to the entry route of the terminal face; it wasn't the comfiest of seats but sufficed as the views were fantastical. We played games to pass the time on the way back to the township such as: Saying a random word and then singing lyrics from a song about it e.g 'Leaf' resulted in 'All the leaves are brown' from California Dreaming and the word 'hair' of course led to a rendition of 'I whip my hair back and forth!', Disney character guessing with yes/no questions (Note: Mr Smee always takes some deduction), Using our umbrellas as oars to re-enact 'Just around the riverbend' from Pocahontas and singing from Mulan and Enchanted soundtracks. Those are just a couple of the fun, musical things we do during walkies because our buffoonery is endless and we CAN make aaaaaaanything enjoyable.
Mum would not have been amused by Amy pretending to hitch hike but it's not like there were any cars around! I got whacked by a leaf on my cheek before it flew down my chest!! I'm like a walking hazard and country songs should be written of my mishaps.
Laundry conflicted with the shenanigans of my stay but it had to be done and then had the inclination to rest in our cute room for several hours as I wasn't feeling too well. Our evening meal at The Cook and Saddle Saloon was by the fireplace a-crackling. Pumpkin, tomato and basil soup is the sort of hearty, comfort food that can cure any ailment. My grilled chicken and veggies were a good, standard decision for sides. Alas, the kiwi pavlova was surprisingly average! It came deconstructed on the plate with PINK meringue. At least, we shared amusing dinner conversation complete with some light-hearted, childish insults.
So what do we do when we're not riding helicopters? We scoff pavlova and lay down on the road! We went to see the horsies, who came straight to us casually from their field, presumably after food. Then we led in the middle of the road to take photos of us in frivolous, irresponsible mode. In NO way were we in any danger; we ensured we were safe at all times on these quiet roads. When it was a lot darker, we made our way to Minnehaha glow worm walk. But only stayed 3 minutes or so as it was spooky in the pitch black rainforest with just a torch shining on the ground. We saw a handful of glow worms flickering with effulgence amongst the shrubbery.
The Department of Conservation website states re: Fox Glacier 'It is somewhere you will carry away with you' and I can testify to the truth of this comment concerning its impression and character. Like most places we've visited, we were sorry to leave it behind :( (but looking forward to seeing the sights of Wanaka.
Another early morning wake up, led to me sleeping the first part of our almost 6 hour bus ride to Wanaka. As usual, one of the designated rest stops is at The Salmon Farm Café in Paringa which has an instagrammable foreign currency tree but burnt apple and raspberry muffins. What the hell good is a cremated muffin? The other standard 'coffee' break is spent at Thunder Creek Falls where everyone vacates the coach to photograph the waterfall which tumbles 96 metres into Haast River below. It doesn't really strike me as a thunderous type of Fall but the setting within the Westland District of Haast Pass is good-looking.
I didn't think I'd be welcome to stay again at Mountain View Backpackers after my infuriating incident last time jamming one of the dryers by accidentally using wrong coins. Oopso! When we were eating our aioli chicken wraps, I got map-slapped by the map of the area reception had given us. Most sisters would give a hug but no, NO.. not Amy; she snickered!! Ducks and seagulls surrounded us ready to pounce on our lunch - standard.
Beneath imposing snow-capped mountains, lies the resplendent as ever, lake of stupendous sapphire. It was essential to lead Amy to *that* singular willow tree which is so famous for growing IN the lake and has its own hashtag. On my previous visit, the water had ebbed back further than it normally would be, so I was glad That Wanaka Tree was in the water this time round.
Stretching our legs, we walked on to Waterfall Creek, following the trail but it has NO such waterfall; the map and place name is a lie!! The Glendhu Bay track is very mild, easily accessible and most brilliantly flat. We played a part in the Native Habitat Restoration by taking a moment to water the thirsty, native trees from the large tanker of h2O and it was an honour to do so. That was our little good deed for the day :)
New Zealand's fourth largest lake with an estimated depth of 300+ metres was profoundly illumined; we took full advantage of the sunbeams photographically. Due to my love of the musical movie La La Land, we dropped by its namesake jazz bar for a mocktail. We were the only patrons as it was early evening but it was nice to sit out on the veranda overlooking Wanaka lake while supping on our ice and pinky fruit juice of some description. We didn't stick around with the lack of ambience.
Down Post Office Lane is a saloon style Italian ristorante called The Cow: Pizzeria and Spaghetti House. Is there anything better than a hugely generous slab of garlic bread, fresh out of the oven? No word of a lie, this was the BEST garlic bread everrrrrrrrrrrr. The crusty loaf came with a razor-sharp carving knife for us to slice up the primo, grade A garlicky gladness.
Amy and I each enjoyed our meals to the max but I overestimated my own appetite. When the waitress asked whether we wanted half serves or full serves, I ravenously ordered a full, incorrectly convinced that a half serve would be minute. My di pollo spicy spaghetti with chicken, ham, chillis, mushrooms and onions was a mountainous bowl of scrumptious carbs. #TOOMUCHFOOD! Each of us had a bad case of overfull belly and went back to our private room to watch a couple episodes of Gilmore Girls.
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