We had a bit of a frustrating start today. We decided to empty the motorhome of all waste fluids and in the process the plug for the waste water outlet broke. We then spent a couple of hours going to various places in Christchurch trying to get a new plug. That proved impossible so we settled for going to a hardware store so Bruce could get what he needed to fix it so that it would be better than before.
After filling up with groceries as well, we finally got on our way to Arthurs Pass at around 1.30pm. The first part of the country-side was the Canterbury plains which are all brown and gold as there has not been any rain here for a long time. No wonder the Port Hills went up in smoke.
All that changed fairly quickly once we started entering the hills below the Southern Alps. There were many stops along the way for photos and we could never get tired of looking at the views around us – exquisite.
The rock formations in the area known as the fortress were amazing – especially how they lined the top of the hills as if to create a fortress to keep people out. That wasn’t successful though as there were tourists everywhere – busloads of them.
Continuing on the mountains got higher and more rugged, and there were countless fresh water streams coming out of the hillside next to the road. I am not sure how the road copes when it is the rainy season as the ditches beside the road don’t appear to be very big.
We stopped for morning tea by the shores of Lake Lyndon, which is a relatively small lake. The land around it was rocky and arid and dotted with numerous thorn bushes.
We also called in to Lake Pearson but unfortunately the dogs were not allowed out of the van so it was just a quick look. Unfortunate really as there were many people camping there and the place was idyllic.
The next lookout break was just before the Otira Gorge started, and the keas were there to greet us. Fortunately they picked on the van of some foreign tourists next to us rahter than ours. They were not worried by us at all and would only move at the last second for moving vehicles so it was a wonder they did not get squashed. Funny how they make a beeline for the car rubbers.
The Otira Gorge had some amazing engineering. Someone has built a water diversion race over the road as well as a rock protection tunnel for the cars to go through. This is all done on a precipitous slope with sheer drops to the river below. The road itself is steep, both uphill and downhill with sharp corners so must be driven with care.
It was getting late so we decided not to push on through to Hokitika and elected to stay in the carpark of the Otira Pub. So glad we did because a real treat was in store for us. The pub was built in the late 1800’s and much is still as it was then. There are many anitique carriages outside but the inside was as much of a treat. The hallway to the ladies loo was lined with antique toilet bowls (not connected of course). The cash register was a beautiful antique as was the telephone, and the place was stacked with all sort s of items eg. an antiques rope making machine, an antique butter churn, antique dolls and dolls prams, not to mention several penny farthing bicycles. Apparently there used to be a club that cycled these bikes along this road. (no gears!).
The meal itself was a real treat. We decided to eat there as we were so taken with the place and we both had whitebait fritters and chips. The fritters were the best I have ever eaten – absolutely packed with whitebait and so delicious. The chips were perfectly cooked also.
A great place to stop and a great day of exploring our beautiful country.
Away From Home NZ 