Queenstown triathlon

September 25

Starting out bright and early from the hotel, Debbie and I took a little jaunt before the bus ride. Then we rode over to Arrowtown where we learned about the plight of Chinese miners who were brought over by the young New Zealand government to work the gold claims, but were then badly treated by those already here. Their settlement in Arrowtown is a testament to their survival skills under such awful pressures. A little park commemorates their efforts and documents some of their struggles. Many shops offer clothing, gold and food to visitors.

Back at the hotel to get ready for round 2 of Queenstown. Boarding the TSS Earnslaw at the steam wharf, we steamed under to power of the triple expansion steam engines powered by 1 ton per hour of diesel fuel ( and the smoke to prove it) to the Walter Peak sheep station. There, our guide, Peter, accompanied by the ever-watchful Meg, we watched Bess display her herding talents, watched sheep who thought they were people, hairy coos who just wanted some attention and some treats, a lamb who just wanted lunch and a sheep who would rather have waited a few hours more to get her new hairdo.
 A lovely tea was consumed, a spinning demonstration watched and some fluff handed out. Sated, we all re-boarded the TSS Earnslaw( couldn't resist a peak at the engine room) for the return trip to Queenstown where most of us disembarked to go shopping and walking in the streets on the way back to the hotel. I hit the jackpot with a stop at the local Salvation Army Store, a local wine shop and a local yarn shop. Then I managed to find the non-steep walk back to the hotel. The Stanley Street walk this morning didn’t do my knee any good. Made it back to the hotel in time to clean up and prepare for the evening’s escapade.

Another short bus ride disgorged its passengers at the little cemetery conspicuously located at the entrance to the gondola to the Skyline restaurant.

  The ride up was amazingly smooth, the vistas breathtaking. Okay, most of them...

 The viewing platform at the top is a little disconcerting with its shaky floor tiles, but again, the views knock your socks off. From our table for dinner we spotted the rooftop of our hotel. It looked like 3 or 4 dice sitting on the ground below us. Dinner was again over the top with way too many goodies in every shape and taste, followed by devastating desserts. Back to the hotel, where we were regaled with more tales of historical kiwis ( the people kind) and promises of more to come. Now I am sitting in the laundry room supervising my dryer while the overhead light blinks out every 5 minutes because I am not moving enough. More tomorrow.