Day 12. Waking up to a fabulous view had us stoked for a day of exploring Queenstown (we stayed at Auntie Joji’s friend’s house on a vineyard). First stop was the Gibbston Valley winery for a meal and to sample their wine, cheese and honey. A few glasses of wine later, my eyelids felt a bit heavy – good thing I wasn’t the designated driver. We opted out of the winery and wine cave tour, unfortunately, with our day’s full schedule.
Next on our list and highly recommended by Auntie Joji, a former Queenstown resident, was the ride to Bob’s Peak on the Skyline gondola. Quite a queue when we got there but the waiting time wasn’t that bad. Auntie Joji was right: the Skyline was not to be missed for the Peak offered panoramic views of Queenstown. I spent a few hours for snaps and simply unwinding as I took in the amazing scenery.
The Little Paradise Lodge in nearby Glenorchy was the last spot in today’s itinerary. (The owner’s wife was a good friend of Auntie Joji.) The afternoon was rainy but it failed to cast a gloom on our group. Belle and I took a stroll around the lodge while Auntie and her friend animatedly chatted away. The lodge showcased the owner’s creativity and perseverance – he did all the interesting garden installations, landscaping, interior design and carpentry work.
It was truly a day well spent.
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