Queenstown

New Zealand has three official languages: Maori, English, and sign language. Maori was often spoken by government officials until the 1870s, when the use of it declined due to the increase of the European population. In 1867 the Native Schools Act banned the speaking of Maori in the schools. The language was almost totally lost due to that Act, but a Maori language revitalization began in the late 20th century and that has helped slow the decline. A major protest in the 70’s caused greater awareness and now the language has resurfaced. The language is now taught in the schools beginning in kindergarten which has helped increase the number of native speakers.

This morning we checked out of our hotel and drove back to Christchurch to take our flight to Queenstown.

It was a beautiful day and we drove back over the Southern Alps, stopping at different places along the way. We saw where filming had taken place for The Chronicles of Narnia which was pretty cool to see.

The scenery along the way was absolutely magnificent. Autumn is the perfect time to be here…the leaves are changing colors and the temperature is very pleasant – not the hot temps of the summer months.

On the way, Catherine told us about the school teachers in the 1900’s. The men did not have to sign a contract, but the women did. The women’s contract said: 1. They could not smoke. 2. They could not marry. 3. They couldn’t be in a carriage unless accompanied by a member of their family. 4. They agree to get to the schoolhouse early and start the wood heaters and erase and clean the blackboards – not only for their classrooms, but also for the mens. 5. Their dresses had to be below the ankle. 6. And no loitering in front of an ice cream store. (Now that one is just cruel and unusual punishment!!!)

We stopped for a break at the Otira Cafe and Bar. What a crazy place! The guy collects antiquities and his entire place was filled with all kinds of wild and crazy things… And he was just as crazy. He cooks food with a parrot on his shoulder that nibbles on his ear. I’m sure if the Board of Health came in, the place would be shut down in an instant!

The guy wasn’t very nice either. I bought a honey, ginger, lemon tea and he said it would be $6 (as the parrot squawked on his shoulder). I said, “But the sign says $5.” He says, “Oh, Ok. I forgot.” So Allan gives him $10 and I walk away while Allan waits for his change. Unbeknownst to me the guy gives Allan $5 back and then says, “And you owe me a dollar!!”. What a wheeler dealer!

We traveled further along and stopped for lunch at a very popular kiwi pie place. They had all kinds of pies. I had the chicken one and Allan had the steak and mushroom one. The kiwi pies are delicious with flaky crusts and savory fillings. They are very popular in New Zealand.

There are beech trees along the mountain road and Catherine told us that the roots of the trees intertwine under the ground. Unfortunately, if there is a bad storm, the trees are toppled and because the roots are intertwined, they all fall down the mountain like a tree landslide. After a storm, red algae eventually appears over time, which begins life anew and the trees and other flora eventually grow back. We saw the red algae all over the rocks.

We finally arrived at the airport and boarded a small turbo prop plane to take us to Queenstown. The flight was a little bumpy as we soared over the mountains and even the flight attendant was sitting clenching his hands on his knees, but we arrived safely and went to our hotel.

Queenstown is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu. The mountain range called The Remarkables (and they really are) can be viewed from our hotel as well as the Cecil Peak and the Walter Peak. Apparently, so the story goes, the name The Remarkables was given by early Queenstown settlers upon seeing the mountain range during sunset one evening, and they named them the Remarkables to describe the beautiful sight.

We checked into our hotel which overlooks the lake and then went for a walk into the town for dinner. The town is a happening place! Restaurants and bars all over as well as shops selling everything you can imagine. We walked along the lake and admired the beautiful trees in vibrant colorful array.

We had a delicious dinner and then walked back to the hotel through the streets that were crowded with diners sitting outside in front of gas heaters looking across the lake at the beautiful mountains.

We’re here for four nights! Looks like it will be a great place to stay and enjoy everything Queenstown has to offer.