So today started my magical mystery tour! We had to wake up at 4am. We were gobsmacked at how weird the weather was. Its was dark and the middle of night, yet with completely still, dry, warm air! It was hotter outside than indoors!
We drove north, which was my first idea of where we were heading. Our first stop was Moeraki Boulders where we watched the sunrise at the beach.
We visited a cafe in the middle of nowhere, yet past Oamaru. It was a typical kiwi cafe, no frills yet still perfect. They did these amazing egg, bacon and hash brown Muffins that somehow held there shape when eating. I had an earl grey tea whilst Sabine had a coffee.
Next stopover was a salmon fishing town named Rakaia where I had fun in the children's play park with a hamster wheel type thing.
Going past Christchurch was interesting as the newly built roads weren't recognised at all by the GPS.
We next stopped for lunch at a cafe in the middle of nowhere yet again in a tiny stop over called Culverden. I had a lovely raspberry muffin. I'm confusing myself with these sweet and savoury muffins. I never ate savoury muffins in the UK.
Driving on, it became evident that our destination was inland, and not Kaikoura. I actually suspected we were going to Kaikoura for whale watching and swimming with the dolphins for quite a few days already. So it was a genuine surprise to find that we weren't. Sabine says its out of season for that anyway. Next I was thinking we were going to Hanmer Springs, but, nope! Anyway, we continued driving up a long but steady incline, high up in the mountains to a place called Maruia Springs Thermal Resort. I cant believe Sabine planned and booked this! I LOVE ONSEN! This particular hot springs onsen is very much Japanese styled, and is fairly non-touristy at the moment. Sabine says its the only natural hot springs in the South Island. Our room is amazing and warm, even though its cold and raining outside. We are so high up that there is even snow here on the ground. It wasn't long before we got into the hot pools themselves. Very lovely overlooking the mountains and river. Its awesome! There are 3 outside pools all built Japanese styled with rocks. There is even a hotter indoor onsen which is also exactly like what I've been to in Japan. The place also has three saunas.
Black feather like Algae grows in the water which is apparently due to the hot spring water meeting with the cold river water. Anyway this stuff looks exactly like Makkurokurosuke from the Ghibli films.
Overall since arriving we had two sessions in the pools. This evenings one was fun in the dark of night with all the pretty lights about. Its just a shame about the constant rain.
Because dinner isn't included, Sabine packed a few things for us to eat including the sandwiches I made this morning and some pot noodles. The complementary tea is great and there is a kettle so its actually really not a bad idea having noodles. Oh, the internet isn't free here, its an added price if you choose to want it.
Oh yeah, tonight at the outdoor pools we spoke to a staff member who was enjoying her free time. She said that the staff are all backpackers getting paid for a maximum of 3 months work. They live on site and get 2 free meals paid out of their salary.
16 Sat-
First thing, we went into the onsens to enjoy the sunrise. It wasn't raining but a bit cloudy, plus we had everything to ourselves! ^_^ Amazing.
The breakfast was at 8am. Its included with our package, but it would have been $21 per person for the english breakfast (without baked beans). The white chocolate macha latte that we chose would have been $5.50. The portions were medium sized, but I would have preferred more choice, buffet styled.
Sabine was disappointed to discover that there isn't many waterfalls around here. We went for a short drive though to stop over at a few points of interest. One of them being an access route to St James Walkway. Here was a brilliant loop walk around the area which included a nice lake and views of the mountains all around.
We stopped at a path called Nina Track. On the side of the road just before the entrance to the track was a poor little Silvereye that must have been hit by a car. Sabine didn't spot it and could have even trodden on it. Anyway I picked up the tiny creature which was in shock with its eyes closed. Sabine suggested cupping its small body with my hands for warmth. I could feel it trembling. I don't think it was sitting on the road for too long. It also had a bit of blood on its beak. It responded well to my warmth and opened its eyes within a few minutes. By this point we were inside the track and started photographing it. It was more responsive to us now and starting to get scared. It flew out of my hand to a branch just in front of us. I hope it lives!
Next there was a typical NZ swing bridge that came out of nowhere. This was cool. It only had a maximum load of one person at a time and Sabine went first. The sensation on the bridge itself looking down felt like the bridge was moving right whilst the river wasn't moving at all. Weird but cool. Sabine apparently felt the same optical illusion.
Up the track slightly were a few curious birds. We were the entertainment it seemed. One was a Fantail, one was a Tomtit, and the other was a fuzzball of some description.
We should have walked further and enjoyed the walk more, but we just didn't. Sabine was worried about the car as it was parked in an awkward spot. Fair enough, but we later regretted it. On the way back we bumped into a group of hikers that were on their way to stay in the hut tonight. They were about to cross the swing bridge and were waiting for us to cross.
There was nothing much else going on around the area, so we came back. Unfortunately I didn't know just how early it was. It was so early it was ridiculous. We ate our sandwiches and went back into the pools, starting with the indoor one.
There was a woman in the indoor pool totally naked. She was the only one there until we turned up, so she never got the message that the onsen is for swimwear only. She also assumed that the indoor pool was a womans only because 'thats how it used to be'. She quickly realised her mistake and went to put her swimming costume on. She came back, embarrassed, and said she was last here 20 years ago and assumed the rules were still the same as then. Errr nooooo, its not. Aye yai yai.
We went back to the pools in the evening. Sabine says that all the accommodation rooms have been booked out, so we expected the pools to be busy. But it just wasn't. We could only account for 7 rooms. Where is everyone else?
Anyway thats it for today. It was a pretty slow day. We should have spent more time in the forest. Its a shame Nina Track didn't have a decent car parking spot.
17 Sun-
This morning was a bit of a repeat of yesterday morning, in that we went to the onsens before breakfast. The indoor pool was way too hot so we didn't bother with that and went outside instead. Breakfast was at 8am again. We ordered the same as yesterday but they forgot the potatoes. Ahh damn it.
We filled in a comments form each then checked out. We decided to drive non-stop to lake Tekapo. It was a bit out of our way but we wanted to go.
Considering its out of season, it was bloody touristy. Also the town is very built up now. Even more so than 2009.
We attempted to drive up to the observatory to check out the views, but found out they are charging $8 for parking alone. Sabine says parking was free in 2011, so we didn't bother.
In Oamaru we got a tasty olive bread to eat from New World.
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