Day 16: Arthur’s Pass
As comfortable as the RV is, it was a special treat to sleep in a real bed, with fitted sheets! After breakfast, the four of us (Lindsay, Igor, Mom & Bo) checked out of the hotel, and started our cross-country drive to Franz Josef Glacier, via Arthur’s Pass. Since our travel time to go from East Coast to West Coast was a mere 5 hours, we took our time and explored trails & historical spots along the way.
So many places to see on the way though the mountains!
Limestone rocks at Castle Hill
Quick pit-stop at Arthur’s Pass Village (the store is for sale, BTW, if anyone is interested on moving to NZ), then an RV lunch at a scenic lookout on the side of the road
A gold-mining town – are we in California? No! It’s Ross, New Zealand, which had it’s own 1800’s Gold Rush. Igor is playing sheriff in the old “goal” and Bo is admiring the biggest gold nugget (replica) ever found in the country
Igor is a willing captive of this beautiful country
We rolled into Franz Josef Village just in time for dinner – delicious New Zealand fare at the Blue Ice Restaurant. When we got back to the hotel, we parked ourselves in front of the fireplace and got a bottle of bubby, while Lindsay tried to read to the group (unfortunately, the only book in the hotel’s collection was a German bodice-ripper.
Delicious dinner in New Zealand
OMG – amazing dessert at Blue Ice
After-dinner drinks by the fire.
Die romantische.
Lindsay- We want you back!!!!!! Leave now, you can still get here in time!
Aw – miss you guys! How about an NSM at Chateau Tanunda instead?