North bound from Invercargill

Me at the top of the highest highway in new zealand.  No wonder I look grumpy - and even after all this cycling I am still human, I am afraid I did get off and push some of the way - Christof tried to disown me.

 We cycled from Invercargil North to Queenstown, a beautiful ride the end part of which was along an amazing lake with hills all around.  From there we took the road to Arrowtown, and old gold town with a tiny and very cute high street.  Then up over the hills to Wanaka, and the road was so steep!  It was fantastic though, we crawled up for about 3 km, and then suddenly it was as though we were back at the bottom again as we entered a lovely agricultural valley surrounded by even bigger mountains.  Then another 3km of very steep uphill to the very top.  Then with anticipation and excitement we crossed the pass and started our descent.  The excitement very quickly turned to disappointment and exhaustion!  The head wind was so strong we had to pedal hard - all the way down!  Our route got even better and more and more scenic as we crossed the lakes around Wanaka (another day with headwind) and then three blissful days cycling with nothing but mountains and forest all around.  The road is twisty and curves around the hills so that you never know what is around the next corner: the sea, a lake, a braided river, a snow capped mountain, a forested hill - whatever it is seems to be so beautiful it takes your breath away.

My mobile home for so many months now!

Proof that New Zealand seems to be the windiest place ever.