A perfect day in Queenstown

It was really cold this morning…about 3° and felt it! So we put on many layers and went for breakfast - just coffee and croissants and had mandies in the room. Saving appetite for special dinner tonight!

Headed out for another lakeside walk, in the other direction from yesterday afternoon. We found there was an official path, not a bush track, and it would go on for many kms. It was just so beautiful with the sun filtering through the trees with their new spring greenery mixing in with the native evergreens, and all surrounded by the jagged mountains still with their dusting of snow. Not to mention the cherry blossoms, looking gorgeous and with excited Japanese tourists posing under them taking photos!

We walked for about 10 kms (there and back) and went to a noodle bar that Amr had found for some sustenance. After returning to our room, we set off again and went to the beautiful Queenstown Gardens where we found a bench to sit and read…so peaceful - a rotunda, tulips, more cherry blossoms…gorgeous! Back to the room to catch up some wifi (me) and to get ready for our special dinner at a lovely restaurant - Cathy’s 70th birthday present to Amr!

We had found where it was, tucked up a little alley…such a lovely vibe - fine dining, but casual, calm, comfortable and delicious food! I didn’t have fancy dining clothes, but found that almost everyone also was wearing sneakers! This is a town full of active people doing all the offered activities! When walking peacefully around the lake there were people paragliding, parasailing, jet boating etc…Amr again was the man in purple and was complimented several times on his attire!!

So we had this wonderful meal at Rata…really great food and wine, and are now tucked back in our cosy room ready for our departure tomorrow. Easy bus back to the airport, flight at 2.25pm so no rush in the morning. And forecast is for good weather so flights should not be delayed…!Read more