Glow Worms are Cannibals

Te Anau > Kingston > Queenstown

Coming off our own tour of Milford Sound, we were glad to know someone else would be given the responsibility of taking us around for a change. After a beautiful run on the esplanade, we checked out of the YHA and headed to the Real Journey’s dock to board a boat for the glow worm caves. Upon receiving our passes, we were checked in by Holly again. Yesterday she was working at the info desk. Today she was working at Real Journeys as the ticket lady.

Beautiful Day for a Boat Ride

We cruised across Lake Te Anau for twenty minutes. Although cold, the day was beautiful, the air crisp and more importantly the sun was shining.

Can You See the Reflection? 

Inside the Cave

Shhh! We're Not Supposed to Take Photos

We broke up into groups of 14. Dave and I somehow got shuffled into the first group. We were given a briefing right outside the caves about the life cycle of a glow worm and rules to follow eg. no talking and no touching.

The cave was dark and damp, but well lit and paved thanks to Real Journeys. We had to duck for the first few meters and finally the cave opened up to reveal water ways, waterfalls and few specks of light in the dark areas. We walked through the cave given little facts about them until we reached a very loud waterfall. Here we boarded a dingy fit for only 14 people. We kept our hands in and our mouths shut while our guide took us through the pitch dark cave maneuvered by a chain system. As we moved, I began to feel a bit sick because I didn’t have my bearings and could feel the water rushing below. However, the feeling subsided after a minute when my body got used to the darkness and movement. Above me was like viewing constellations in the sky. The glow worms were bright (light appears from their butt), clustered together forming in my eyes outlines of different animals – my glowworm constellations included a cat, cow face, elephant, dog etc.

After the cave tour, we were given complimentary teas and coffees at the information cabin. There we watched a short video on the 9 month life cycle of the glow worm revealing that these worms are not only predators, but will also eat their own kind if trapped or aggravated. They are cannibals! We actually came at the perfect time for the tour because this was the time when there are the most glow worms. I am glad we experienced the glow worm caves. It was nice to have a guide and not worry about transportation for once and of course experience nature at its finest.

Evidence of British Colonialism

We left Te Anau and headed for Queenstown. In the car, I would joke to Dave about butterflies in his stomach and butt because we were headed to the Adventure Capital of the World and he was going to bungee jump and sky dive. A lot of people asked me if I was going to as well, but I’ve already skydived (18th birthday present in Austin, TX) and bungee jumped twice (Spring Break 2008 Costa Rica and in South Korea 2009).

On our way to Queenstown, we stopped in Kingston, New Zealand (to take a picture of the sign of course because Dave is from Kingston, Ontario, Canada). 

Lake Wakatipu

  

Kingston is the Gateway to the Otago Lakes Region

En Route to Queenstown via Kingston Road (Hwy 6)

Lookout at Lake Wakatipu 

Red Cherries. Perfect Road Trip Food

The lakes of the Central Otago region began to reveal themselves as well making for great lookout points. One site even had a cherry seller. Mmm…

Every Turn is Breathtaking

The Central Otago region is famous for its lakes in the summer time for water sports and stunning scenery. The mountains hug the lakes and some of them still have some snow. On the flip side, this region is famous for its skiing. Even Australians would rather come to New Zealand (a mere 3 hour flight from Sydney) than go to the nearest ski area in NSW, which usually has fake snow.

Entering Queenstown reminded me of entering Colorado. Ski resorts surrounded the city on the lake filled with chalets dotted all around.

Steamboat in Queenstown

After checking into the YHA in Central Queenstown, we decided to explore the lake area around the beach, where everyone seemed to be. We walked past the sunbathers and found ourselves in a beautiful park. To one side, a group of guys with a 24 pack were playing disc golf. To the other side, couples were laying in the grass around a pond. On the upper ground path we found a beautiful rose garden with almost every colour rose imaginable (with exception to green, blue and brown). 

Silver Fern. National Symbol of NZ

I Could Watch Ducks in a Pond All Day 

 

Entering the Rose Garden

Enjoy it While it Lasts

There are So Many!

Yellow Might Be My Favourite

Such a Contrast

After the rose garden, the path dipped down and curving back around to the lower ground path where we saw the same disc golfers surrounded a tree where they lost one of their Frisbees. We walked along the water’s edge at the perfect time – sunset.

Enjoying Queenstown So Far

Waters' Edge Close to the Beach

After the nature walk, we decided to explore the city of Queenstown and get the best deal for Dave's bungee jump and sky diving sessions. I have to give New Zealand props for their tourism, because once again, the town's information centre gave us all that we needed; price comparison, timings, directions and could book on the spot. We booked his bungee for the following morning at the Kawarau Falls, the original bungee in the world!

Like Cider? Must Try Rekorderlig!

Satisfied with the bungee booking, it was time for dinner. For dinner, we had our sights set on some New Zealand green lipped mussels. For such a small city more known for tourism in the winter, it was unbelievable to find out almost every restaurant was booked till 9pm! On our restaurant search, we ran into my friend Felicity, a PR connection from Sydney. She was in NZ with her boyfriend and another couple for a week and half too. She exchanged itineraries and found out we’d both be in Queenstown for the same two days. Shame my Vodafone connection wasn’t working, but it didn’t matter. The stars aligned and we ran into each other right in the street! We made plans to have dinner together the following night.

Dave and I finally found a pub called 1876 nearly on the outskirts of town…by foot. The search was well worth it because on the menu, they had the mussels, calamari and cider at reasonable prices. This pub had a interesting history. It was previously the town courthouse and kept the same interior. We were dining right before the judge’s bench.

Morrocan Lamb Salad with Cous Cous,

Green Lipped Mussels and Calamari

We shared three entrees of the biggest mussels we’d ever seen, calamari and Moroccan lamb salad, which has now converted Dave’s hatred of cous cous into tolerance.

Biggest Things You've Ever Seen!

Sunset in Queenstown

After dinner we took a stroll by the water to better digest our food and thought about all the thrilling things we were going to in Queenstown for the next two days.

Trip Extras:

• Take the Glow Worm Cave Tour (package it with the Real Journey's Milford Sound cruise for 20% off, around $50 NZD)
• Leave right away for Queenstown. There are beautiful lookouts along Lake Wakatipu
• Accomodation: YHA Queenstown Central ($210). May seem pricey, but hostels are the best value
• Walk around Queenstown. There are beautiful parks, beach fronts and the town is bursting with restaurants and tours
• Visit the Information Centre and book your adventure there