Wellington Journal

South Island Day 10: Puzzles!

After Milford Sound, we headed north along the western side of the south island, and through the resort town of Queenstown. We got into Cardrona, a tiny little stop on road between Queenstown and Wanaka, on the evening of our 9th day, January 21st.  On the 23rd we left for several days the beach at Hokitika.  In between, we mostly spent time at our lodgings (The Cardrona Hotel), as it was – as far as I could tell – pretty much the only place in the whole of downtown Cardrona.  It was a very comfortable break from the long driving hours and humongous sand flies that were part and parcel of our time out on Milford Sound.

The Cardrona Hotel was quite possibly my favorite place to stay on the south island trip.  The hotel was primarily a restaurant, but with a large backyard and garden.  The room we had was spacious, and the staff were very friendly, but it may have been the weather that tipped the balance for me.  We had a lovely day of sun that meant we could sit and read/eat in the yard, while Ali (sometimes with Meg) played on the tiny swing set.

The Cardrona Hotel

Ali can’t read

When you plan a long family trip, it’s important to pick some activities that the less mature ones in your group will fixate on, so that you can get them through the difficult travel days.  I imagine that this is why Sara suggested we spend part of our resting day at Puzzling World in Wanaka, and why she kept telling me I’d get a special treat if I’d just stop whining.

Unsurprisingly, we all had a great time at Puzzling World.  It consists of a dozen or so illusion rooms (sloping floors, strange mirrors, etc), a large outdoor maze, and a big restaurant / gift shop with plenty of puzzles on the tables for everyone to enjoy.  Nothing super spectacular, actually, but I was pleased to see that such an establishment was even possible as a mid-sized tourist attraction.  (And it was quite busy.)  We even took home some puzzling books and a set of Tantrix (invented in New Zealand!)  All-in-all a good vacation day.

Puzzling World

Megan is larger than life

Little sister Katie (right)

Puzzling over lunch

For more pictures from Cardrona and Wanaka, see our Picasa Website.

posted by Dug @ 11:32 AM