Thursday 10 February 2011

A Kiwi Break - Final Two Days: Fairlie - Methven - Arthur's Pass

Hey kiddoes - I've finally managed to put up the map showing the places we spent some time at on our holidays (needed time to learn this alien mac machine)

Our last two days and still hadn't done the souvenirs. But what was of somewhat greater urgency was the dirty laundry. We always travel light clothes-wise and by then we had already run out of fresh ones. 10 am, the standard check-out time at the motels, we left on a leisurely drive to Methven, our last but one pit-stop.

"Leisurely" due to after-shocks of that second traffic summons I wrote about which hit us just before Fairlie. The police officer was as polite as the first - I guess that comes naturally with the fresh air and unpolluted surrounds. Talking about politeness, I have had experiences of being starred at in European countries but here they did not seem to notice you more than is necessary, like speeding.

It was still too early to check-in when we arrived at the Methven motel but the owner let us dump our load of wash in their machine (2 NZ dollars per load) and recharge our phone and camera batteries which were already on low. While waiting we explored the town which incidentally is popular with skiers in the wintertime. We had some coffee with delicious freshly-cooked tomato soup and rhubarb crumble. The cafe owner was understanding enough to ask beforehand whether we were allowed to have cheese with our soup.

We noticed that some business premises had been damaged by the September 2010 quake and were still closed for repairs. They say earth tremors occur everyday in South Island and were told that we had missed the last one in Methven by 3 days. Come to think of it, it might be nice to get a feel of a tiny shake, wouldn't it?

With laundry, lunch and solat out of the way, we headed for Arthur's Pass driving through both plains and rugged high country.

Shall continue next installment...

This cafe is filled with bric-a-brac which customers can buy.
You take your food at any of those tables

Pretty

Rugged

3 comments:

Cat-from-Sydney said...

Aunty Zen,
You all covered almost all of the South Island. Awesome. Next trip kita sama-sama pi North Island nalk? purrr.....meow!

Zendra-Maria said...

Cats, pi North island? can oso... but this recent trip kinda wiped us out already *sigh* but shall keep in mind :))

Pak Zawi said...

Zen,
Can we do the North island together? We will ride in another car right behind you. Need someone to show us the way, then only my wife will be confident that I wont be losing my way. Keep us informed of when that north island tour OK?