Despite all my best plans and desires, sometimes Mother Nature reminds me how strong and powerful she is and I realize that I must listen...
After driving the opposite side of the road in our Toyota Camper van with bird/fish hand paintings on the exterior for 9 days, Kristin and I both admit that we are getting kind of tired of driving
. The scenery is incredible, but despite seeing one beautiful view after another, we start to take it for granted and it is only after re-looking at the pictures that we realize how amazing some of these sites are.
So, as we map out our intended route to Milford Sound in the southern part of the South Island, we realize that we have about 900 km to get to Milford and 500 kms to go back north to Christ Church where we return our vehicle. The route to Milford goes over some of the higher points on the island and we are told when bad weather approaches, they are often shut down for a few days. We check the weather and a storm is approaching from the South expecting to hit the mountain passes right about when we intend to go over them. Coupled with the fact that our tires are almost bald on the front, our 2003 Toyota Mini Van sounds like the steering is going to come unglued on each speed bump and we don't have chains for any difficult snow driving, we decide to Detour from Milford sound and go straight to Christ Church
.
The weather has been cold. If I had a chance to do it again, I would probably come when it was warmer or go directly to a ski resort and ski when it was cold. Both Kristin and I decided that a beach sounded really good right now and I jumped on the internet and found a couple great airfares to Fiji for our last week instead of driving to Milford Sounds. This earned big bonus points with Kristin. I even found a 5 star hotel for 7 days bundled with an airfare for almost the same price as buying an airfare by itself. More bonus points. So, in a matter of a couple hours, we deviate our entire trip from a winter escape in New Zealand to a beach trip to Fiji.
As we make our way to Christ Church, we have one mountain pass to cross, it is rainy and foggy, but I know that snow is predicted the next day and I just need to make it over the pass. I cross the pass and find a campsite near hot springs. It is perfect, but cold. I can't get the camper heater to work and it is about 10 degrees in our van
. We bundle in a couple down sleeping bags and put a couple comforters over us. Warm underneath, but blistering outside the blanket, I sleep hard.
We awake early and I go for a walk. Hanmar Springs is a tourist town. Beautiful mountain peaks surround this town. Similar to other hot springs, the Maori tribe came to this area because of the hot springs. These springs are a bit more commercialized with slides and multiple pools, but perhaps the nicest that I have ever been too. They are picturesque with the snow capped mountains surrounding the pools. I am too spoiled here and realize it everyday. Not sure how this try is going to change my life, but I am sure it will have life changing impacts on my attitude.
We do a hike in the afternoon that is amazing. Unlike anything that I have hike before. We hike for awhile and then visit the hot springs afterwards. The local food is stone grilled lamb and we get this for dinner. What an incredible day. One day left before Fiji and despite the cold weather, we are going to miss this place.
Detour/Change of Plans!!!!!
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Hanmer Springs, South Island, New Zealand
Other Entries
2025-02-08