Methven to Geraldine to Fairlie to Tekapo to Omarama to Queenstown

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So. Long time no update. Time to change that. Route was: Methven to Geraldine, Geraldine to Fairlie, Fairlie to Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo to Omarama, Omarama to Tarras, Tarras to Queenstown.

First off. Happy Purim! It was on the 9th and 10th. No synagogues in Geraldine, although apparently there was a big celebration in Christchurch. But no fear, nothing stopped me from honoring the holiday. I made hamantashen (traditional Purim cookie)! And they were delicious. Only ended up being able to eat about half of them though. At another hostel a couple of days later someone apparently mistook them for free cookies and ate all the ones that were left. Couldn't find out who. First bad food experience I've had in a hostel. It was very disappointing. They were excellent cycling food while they lasted.

Hamantashen!

The weather turned miserable on the 10th. Wind strength increased even more, coupled with an unseasonal cold front blowing up from Antarctica. I had to take a bus on one day from Fairlie to Lake Tekapo as it was 0 degrees C when I woke up and the weather forecasts were only calling for it to rise up to between 5 and 10 degrees C. Not good cycling weather at all.

If you look closely you can see the dust blowing off of a dirt road. That was how windy it was.

Rakaia Gorge. Beautiful sight on the way to Methven.

Eventually made my up to Lake Tekapo. Those of you who read the Carroll County Times may have heard of this lake/town; there was an article a month or so ago in it about how the town is trying to become a "starlight reserve". Because of the town's altitude and the amazingly clear skies, the area is really big for stargazing. There are several observatories on the mountain right next to the town, and just from the top of the moutain you can look out over the surrounding countryside (the Canterbury Plains) for miles. It was a stunning sight. I even managed to make out my route for the next day. Couldn't see any stars at night though. Because of all the recent storms, the sky was filled with clouds, but it was a little bit uncanny nonetheless. Even in the pitch black of night you could make out the distinct outlines of the clouds, the sky was so clear. It was easy to see why it's good for stargazing.

View of Tekapo from Mount John.

View from top of observatory.



There are a lot of canals in the area, used to generate hydroelectricity. About 25% of New Zealand's water-generated electricity comes from this region. It was really good for cycling because there was a maintanence road right next to the canals that very little traffic used. Very nice and quiet.

On the way from Omarama to Tarras I had to cross Lindis Pass, the highest point I've been in New Zealand, at 965m. Quite a climb from the 200m elevation at Omarama, but I eventually reached the top. Met a German tourist at the rest area at the top of the pass who shook my hand when I rode in. Apparently he had seen me riding up and was impressed.

The Pass is at the top. You might not be able to make it out.

At the top of the Pass.

Lake by Cromwell.

Cromwell is in the heart of the Central Otago plains, NZ's largest fruit-growing region. I stocked up on apples, plums, and apricots.

I made falafel for dinner. Very hard to do without a blender or food processor.

Quesadillas!

These are Moa. They went extinct about 400 years ago. Would not want to try and outrun one.

There are roses everywhere.