Misty rain today.  Day plan?

Travelling high above Queenstown on a 4WD “Lord of the Rings” tour…through the movie’s Misty Mountains.  Iconic, right?

Piled into an off-road Jeep, fast left Queenstown behind — headed toward The Remarkables mountain range (New Zealand’s premier ski locale).  Scenic spot high above Lake Wakatipu, then a quick stop at Kawarau Gorge – site of the world’s first commercial bungee operation.  Luckily, no jumps happening today (because of weather) so I had a good excuse 🙂

Rain curtailed our picnic plans so moved things indoors.  Took tea in Arrowtown’s historic Chinese Settlers Village (inside Ah Lum’s store, circa 1885) before driving UP the Arrow River – literally UP the river itself – to Macetown, an abandoned gold mining town.

Rain jacket, check.  Shovel, check.  Gold pan, check check.  Ready to get rich quick!

As luck would have it, I DID actually find gold – a small flake (with the magic of an iPhone zoom lens), visible to the naked eye.  But because I’m obviously independently wealthy, washed my fortune back into the Arrow River.  Easy come, easy go 🙂

FAVE part of the day?  One-lane path UP UP UP Coronet Peak to Skippers Saddle.  AMAZING colour, whatta view!

Back in Queenstown, laced up, light jacket (from February’s Cowtown Marathon)…gotta get in my run miles.  Steep hill climb to Skyline Gondola, then west ‘cross town past 3 city parks – run destination: Sunshine Bay, on the road to Glenorchy.  6 miles total.

NZ’s eastern shore tomorrow nite, sleeps in Dunedin.  Gotta/hafta/must do?  Cadbury CHOCOLATE factory tour.  Can’t wait!