Tramping New Zealand

DAY 23 - Bus to Queenstown

Well, our hiking ventures having been completed, now begins the tedious process of returning home.  To that end, Dave and I must bus to Queenstown and catch a plane from there.

The rain finally has arrived in earnest.  How utterly lucky we were.  Just imagining how it would have been on Mackinnon Pass two days ago without being able to see anything but clouds makes me want to erect a shrine to the local rain god.

Shooting photos while moving has no guarantee of good results.

At Mossburg the bus makes a 15-minute stop for a coffee/potty break.  There are two cafes across the street.  Because of a couple of decades of retail experience, I opt to patronize the one farthest from the bus stop to help them out.  I need not have been concerned, though, because I have to stand in line just to order a cup of coffee.

Back in the bus, as we wait for stragglers to reappear, several of our party attempt to board the small bus in front of us.  When they finally get back to the proper vehicle, our driver makes the only comment I heard from a local in three weeks' time that was less than super-friendly: "For the record, we're on a big bus, not a little one".

Tonight's lodging is right on one of busiest street corners in town; in fact, this building includes the Patagonia Ice Cream shop that we visited many days ago.

The benches are surfboards

In the hostel lobby

An unusual world map

As has become a tradition, it's my treat for a final farewell dinner in appreciation of Dave's considerable efforts in coordinating this trip.  I have a scrumptious chicken fettuccini carbonara and an umbrella drink, while Dave has some ribs and red wine.

Yum

What will tomorrow bring?