BITWRATHPLOOB World Tour

The ‘Ploob is off to the mountains
erik posted in Departures on June 2nd, 2008

No self-respecting visitor to the South Island of NZ can avoid a trip through the Southern Alps. I would’ve loved to take the BITWRATHPLOOB to Queenstown and the more exotic Lake Tekapo and Milford Sound but, alas! I had neither a car, nor a three-day holiday to spend driving south.

What I did have was friends willing to take me, and the ‘Ploob, for a day-trip to Arthur’s Pass. We left early - 8am! - and headed to Darfield for our morning coffee, then we hit the road towards the mountains. The ‘Ploob spent most of the trip in Maddi’s company: 

The car started climbing the hills, then the hill turned into mountains, we were still climbing and our ears were beginning to pop. We were treated to some spectacular views, before finally arriving to our first stop: the Castle Hill rock formations.

The place is just stunning - those giant rocks sitting there, seemingly randomly scattered on the side of the hill.

Some scenes from the first movie The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed here, though I’m not sure in which part exactly. The place is also well known for bouldering, and we did get to admire a few climbers. You could say we were inspired (though perhaps less adventurous) and we climbed to the top of one of the bigger, more accessible rocks to take pictures of the ‘Ploob in front of this strange scenery:

The road between Castle Hill and the village of Arthur’s Pass keeps going up through the mountains. My favourite part of the drive, I think, are the incredibly large, flat riverbeds we cross here and there. During the thaw in spring they are probably full of water, but at this time of year (early autumn), they look like rivers of rocks. And somehow all the bridges - really long bridges! - have only one lane.

We arrived in Arthur’s Pass for lunch. We ate at the Wobbly Kea Café, then drove the short distance to the beginning of the Punchbowl Falls trail. Nothing like going up hundreds of steps to help with digestion!

The ‘Ploob managed to mess with my camera again…

…but nothing that couldn’t be fixed on the drive to Death Corner and the Otira Viaduct.

Years ago, the road used to be on the side of the mountain. Then the scree slope took over and the road disappeared. It was rebuilt, then washed down the hillside again. Not surprisingly, the zigzag-y bit leading to this portion of road was called Death’s Corner…  A few years ago (in the 1990s, I think), the viaduct was built - wider, larger angles, less at the mercy of tumbling mountain sides. Death’s Corner is now a viewpoint for the viaduct, a picnic spot for tourists, and the playground of the keas.

I had heard so many stories about those birds - they’re very clever, and so used to tourists that one only has to put down a picnic blanket for them to come out a beg/steal food, as well as hats, gloves, books, bottles and anything left unattended for a minute. I was really looking forward to photographing their encounter with the BTWRATHPLOOB. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. There were no keas there that day - not a single bird to be found.

Still, the day’s adventures weren’t over yet. We headed back to Christchurch on the same road we came in, stopping just before we reached Castle Hill again.

Cave Stream Reserve was another attraction I had heard about but had never seen myself. With the ‘Ploob in my pockets (that head that pops out is so handy for transport!), we started down the cliff trail, being mindful of the dangers.

Some people were obviously intent on exploring the cave, but the water was decidedly too cold for us.

When we walked back up, the moon was rising above the mountains. We drove home in the dark, exhausted by all the fresh air and walking, and those of us in the back seat slept most of the way.

A very warm thank you to the Dumbles: Helen, Darren and little Maddi, who took the ‘Ploob and I on this adventure through the alps and happily shared in the rock climbing and silly photo-taking.