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<\/a><\/p>\nThe scenery this entire day was absolutely breathtaking. Strings of mountains lay on either side of the narrow roads, bubbling rivers and gaping canyons. One thing about New Zealand that can still give me heart attacks is the vast number of one-lane bridges, even on otherwise fairly normal seeming roads. Many of these are even hidden around blind corners so you really have to watch for the warning messages. I suppose our drivers know this route down pat but on occasion they can be really scary and I have to wonder what some of these supposedly mega-popular spots for locals are like in summer with the roads busier.<\/p>\n
We stopped a bit later in the middle of Lewis pass as we approached Hanmer Springs and took a few shots. I should mention that we\u2019re now travelling with a professional photographer who\u2019s taking shots for both Lonely Planet and next year\u2019s Adventure Tours brochure. Never know, there\u2019s a small chance you may see me in the brochure next year. At this stop he got us to take a few action shots again tossing the Rugby Ball around in front of the bus.<\/p>\n
Hanmer Springs itself is a very touristy town with a few streets of hotels, hostels and chic resorts interspersed with cafes and souvenir shops of various quality levels. It reminds me very much of Banff or West Yellowstone and apparently in the past was well known as a rehab clinic area. It\u2019s now popular as a ski destination in winter, and in summer for various adventure sports (though if there\u2019s a region in NZ that doesn\u2019t have some form of daredevil pastime I haven\u2019t seen it yet.) The main attraction for many is the eponymous springs which take the form of a fully developed hot pool park (as well as several waterslides.) Again think a much more built up Banff Hot Springs, or more accurately imagine if they expanded Radium. A few of us did the hot water slides, the best of which was a tube ride with the sort of toilet bowl approach swirling around and around and around. Quite fun and all the better for being warm. Mostly I just rested the old ankle though.<\/p>\n
Our accommodations here are quite extraordinary, essentially ski chalets with a living area, several bedrooms and a tiny kitchen. Our guide even frankly admits that they make everywhere else we stay kind of look like crap. We\u2019re actually up on the hill here and even without sitting out on the now chilly balcony I can look out across the lights of the valley scattered below. It\u2019s very pretty and entirely relaxing.<\/p>\n