A MIGHTY LONG BUS RIDE:
I was up really early in hopes of catching a Kea or two. I was up way too early and returned to the hotel for breakfast and then went out again. I found one where I expected to find one. Sitting above a group of hotel trash cans. They are known to get into the trash and make a mess.
A bit about the Kea, it is a species of large parrot that is endemic to the forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. They are about 19 inches long, mostly olive-green, with brilliant orange under its wings and has a large, narrow, curved, grey-brown upper beak. It is an omnivore who’s diet consists mainly of roots, leaves, berries, nectar, and insects, but also includes carrion. It was once killed for bounty due to concern by sheep-farmers that it attacked livestock, especially sheep. The kea is now uncommon, and received absolute protection under the Wildlife Act in 1986.
While the bus ride was long, rest stops were frequent and the scenery was spectacular. We arrived in Queenstown at about 1700 and had a very nice craft pizza and pasta dinner. 3/5 Today we have a late start so catching up here after breakfast. Plan is do a jet boat on the Dart River, lunch at a pub and back to town for dinner on our own.
Our Room In Queenstown:
Yes, after breakfast at the hotel, we bussed our way to Glenorchy where we had an excellent lunch at the Glenorchy Hotel Pub. This establishment had a very warm friendly vibe, well worth a visit to get out of the tourist hustle and bustle of Queenstown. We are told it is a classic Kiwi Pub and I believe this to be true.
We then walked across the street to Dart River Adventures. We were fitted with our PFD’s and splash jackets and were off to the marina. Here we boarded the jet boats.
Our river trip took us on the braided Dart River, Te Awa Whakatipu, runs for 60km, about 36 miles, from Mount Aspiring National Park, until it reaches the northern end of Lake Whakatipu near Glenorchy.
With 900 horsepower engines and jet drives, we had an exciting powerful journey up and down the river. The jet drives in these boats were designed/created by a New Zealand gentleman named Hamilton. The Dart River Adventures people still work with Hamilton in tweaking the design.
The we bussed back to Queenstown where we were on our own for dinner. As we have yet to have a steak and cheese pie, we went to the Fergbaker and got one of their steak pies.
This did not disappoint, a super flaky crust covered the succulent mixture of cheese and steak in a savory brown sauce.
We did stop for a drink on the Ferg Bar and finally got a Boston Cream doughnut for dessert. Yes it was from Fergbaker.
Back to the room for more laundry and log catchup. Tomorrow will be a full day.
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