As the first light of day strikes us on Christmas Day here in New Zealand I am in a luxury hotel room. Like many Aucklanders who were kept contained within our provincial borders for 100+ days we have embraced the freedom granted and fled the city, in our case south to Queenstown for a few days over Christmas.
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| On our flight down we had the clearest view I have ever had of Mount Cook (Aoraki) the highest point in New Zealand at 3,724 metres (12, 218 feet). |
We actually arrived here on Thursday after an alarmingly early 04:15 start. After a quick visit to the supermarket to stock up on a few delicacies and some bottles of Central Otago Pinot Noir we headed to Arrowtown for lunch. It is a lovely little place, but suffering from the lack of tourists, both local and international. Christmas decorations were low key, with just a single tree in the public areas.
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| The Christmas tree at Arrowtown |
A while later we checked into the hotel and spent a lazy afternoon eating olives and fresh Otago cherries while sampling Pinot Noir, reading and listening to London Grammar and the angelic voice of Hannah Reid. A Thai dinner closed out the day.
Christmas Eve started with a leisurely breakfast before driving south to Cromwell for a delicious lunch at the Stoaker Room and a visit to a cherry orchard to stock up on my favourite of all the summer fruit.
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| Lunch: a magnificent piece of porchetta for me, roast cauliflower for her indoors |
Then followed a visit to one of the many wineries along the way for a tasting and an emptying of the wallet. To close out the afternoon we stopped at the Onsen Spa for a soak in a hot tub with magnificent views over the Shotover River a hundred feet below.
A wonderful Christmas escape for you, Mark. Sun, warmth, and beautiful scenery. I won't see those until Spring.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
And it is a stunning day here today, warm and clear. I might post some pictures a little later today. We often remember fondly the winter Christmas we had in Canada in 2000. All the best to you and your family
DeleteA Merry Christmas to you and yours , Tony
ReplyDeleteAnd to you too Tony!
DeleteMerry Christmas Mark…
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery… an lovely looking food…
One of the many pleasant things I remember from my visit to New Zealand is the quality of the food…
Envious… me?…..
Yup!
All the best. Aly
And that place does magnificent food… generous servings and all cooked in oak barrels with a wonderfully smokey taste.
DeleteMerry Chritmas to you and Michelle, Mark. We have started the day with BBQ brekkie and a chat with our neighbour over the fence, plus an exchange iof gifts. Amyrossnz@yahoo.co.nz us on airport standby at one so will have to leave here around eleven thirty I guess. She is hoping she is needed as she does not want to be last man standing, having to clear up the crew room Christmas fare once everyone else has buggered off! Our neighbours daughter is a nurse at Waikato Hospital and is working at three pm too....
ReplyDeleteSame to you, Ruth and your offspring. Gorgeous day here today.
DeleteLooks great Mark, as is usual for that part of the world. Socks are always useful, and you'd probably look a bit silly wearing jewellery anyway.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to convince her indoors that this is the region to retire too…she is warming to the idea.
DeleteHappy Christmas and enjoy your quality time break.
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm. We are having a superb time. I hope you and your family are enjoying your day.
DeleteWow, that is certainly a nice Xmas get away Mark! I could sit in the hot tub for hours with a view like that. I hope you all have a lovely Xmas and a Happy New Year and here's hoping for a better 2022 for all of us!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve. A much needed break. The phone is turned off, we have music and we’re have reading material, and there is lots of wine.
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