Bungy Jumping in the Fog

On a sunny day this is a wonderful view, down to the lake at Queenstown. Today it was shrouded in fog which has enveloped central south island for the past 24 hours. A huge low rolled in from the north west yesterday, bringing with it pelting rain, wind and sodden cloud. I came across from Haast as the depression was moving in. Fortunately it has not truly settled in so I was able to enjoy the road (which was only finally completed in 1960, joining the east and west coasts), as it winds above the Haast River surging below in an ever narrowing gorge beneath slabs of rock reaching to the sky. I was on my way to Wanaka, one of the tourist centres of Central Otago.

I didn't like the place much. After the blissful solitude of the West Coast, there were too many thrill seekers booking bungy jumping, jet boating and body surfing down the gorges. I'm sure these are all fine things but they are not what this old fart came to New Zealand for. And Wanaka was almost full into the bargain so I ended up in a small motel that was okay but not really what I wanted.

With the rain still pissing down this morning, I went wine tasting. This area is the fastest growing wine region in the country, specialising in Pinot Noir. In fact the region is said by many to be the best terroir for Pinot Noir in the world. This would appear to be borne out by the prizes won by the local vineyards. These include accolades such as the World's Best Pinot Noir Award. I'm not sure who gave this but it does suggest that what comes out of the vineyards of Gibbston Valley, Bendigo, Cromwell and Bannockburn is highly rated. Certainly the tastings I did were very good with a wide variety of styles, ranging in price from 25NZD to 105NZD, with an average price of 45NZD. These are not cheap bottles but the contents is marvellous.

Tonight I'm staying in Cromwell, in a comfortable motel secluded in what appears to be a housing estate. Once again it was the scarcity of accommodation that brought me here. In addition to the bungy jumping etc there is a huge rowing regatta taking place an hour away and the rowing buffs have flooded the place. I have always maintained that sport has much to answer for. It has certaily turned this area into a hotel desert, at least for the moment.