The Heritage Adventurer returned to the Port of Bluff at a quick pace to get there before forecast gale force winds. We docked on the high tide at around midnight andI have to say that it was much easier to sleep at a calm mooring rather than on the rough sea earlier in the night.
I had been isolating in my cabin for days, feeling somewhat like a pariah – shunned by everyone. I was disappointed that only one person in my photography group came to my cabin to check on how I was doing so I missed the final dinner, and the chance to say farewell. I think they were all more scared for their own health than about the welfare of a fellow group member. New Zealand Covid regulations require those who have tested positive to isolate for seven days where as in Australia, here is no mandatory isolation period at all anymore.
After leaving Bluff, we travelled north through a great length of farming country stretching \between Invercargill and Kingston on the southern shore of Lake Wakatipu. The Kiwis can certainly grow masses of green grass, and the paddocks were well-stocked with sheep and some cattle near the dairy farming towns.
Lake Wakatipu was formed by a giant glacier. It’s mouth was near the town of Kingston at the southern end of the lake . The topography there is flat with many large boulders scattered around. This is the terminal moraine of the glazier – the rocks being gouged out by the glacier and bulldozed as the glazier moved along.
Along the length of the lake is a long chain of rugged mountains, some of which form the Remarkables Range. The scenery is spectacular, even through the windows of the bus.
I have ensconced myself in a room at the Holiday Inn with a good view across part of Queenstown, and to the gondola that goes up to the local lookout at Bob’s Peak.
As I calculate it, this is my last day of isolation (seven days from the date of first symptoms) and I’m looking forward to going out for a walk tomorrow and doing some shopping. It has been sunny over the last two days with a little cloud and warm enough to be outside without a jumper. It’ will be just my luck that tomorrow, when I can get out, to have a cloudy day with rain forecast.
I have rebooked my flight home to Thursday so I should be home on Thursday night.
Glad you are over the worst of everything. I bet you can’t wait to be back home!
Safe travelling.
Tony
I can’t wait till you are back home! It’s been a LONG two weeks.
What a “ bugger”. Probably right that your fellow travellers were worried about themselves but a note under the door or sent in with your meal would have been nice. Take care Bruce.
Good luck and safe return.
Ian/Sue