March 9, 2014. Lake Tekapo, N.Z. Our Tour.

For two weeks we have been escorted around New Zealand. When the decision was first made to spend time in New Zealand, it took us quite a while exploring all our options. Immediately, Ken declared that he was not driving which eliminated the choice of driving our own car. Everyone we knew who had visited New Zealand had chosen that option so we were searching other paths. We looked at bus tours and train trips. Finally we found Aroha Luzury New Zealand Tours. They customize your visit. We chose to stay in more modest places. We had the choice. Veronica, who owns the company, put together a tour. After many messages back and forth, we finally settled on our own guided tour. The plan has worked to perfection. Our guide/driver , Jurgen, has been wonderful. He is a careful driver and an informative guide. All the details for the trip have been handled by him. Tomorrow will be our last day together. We meet Gill in Christchurch. Lake Takapo is another charming tourist town, right on a glacial turquoise lake surrounded by mountains. The tourist industry is second only to agriculture in New Zealand. This evening we dined at a pub on the shores of the lake. As is the custom, the food was excellent. When the sun was setting, I suggested that it would have been pleasant to take an evening dinner cruise on the lake. Jurgen agreed with me but New Zealand is so short of people that there is no one to man the ship, so you can not take an evening cruise in Tekapo Lake. So if you are looking for a job, think about New Zealand. They need good people!!