New Zealand Day 8: catlins

Slept in, thanks to our host pushing check out back to noon. About 11 we were packed up and ready to get our anniversary brekke at the local cafe. Ordered a ham mushroom and onion omelet and matt ordered the banana bacon pancakes. We sat and enjoyed the view of the beach just meters away. After brekke we were on our way, driving the arid coastline of the catlins with our end goal marked for te anau, the stopover before heading to Milford sound.

We followed a detour created by Google through some catlins forest, 30km of gravel road through some pretty forests and country side. The gravel here is huge, our poor car. We eventually made it back to blacktop and continued along the southern scenic road. Towards the town of bluff, southern town known for its oyster festival. Drove up to a lookout point , super windy here and then down to the end of the road, before continuing on our way. Stopped and filled up the gas tank and picked up road munchies: sweet chili Thai Doritos, sugar free Coca Cola and pods (snickers put in a cookie shell). Continued our drive along the southern scenic route stopping every once in awhile for. Breathtaking views. Stopped at Merwins rest for a pb&j sandwich. Looked up Milford sound cruises, knowing it's a two and a half hour drive to Milford sound and we don't wake up incredibly early we were after and early afternoon departure. Found an 1115 with the company we rented our car from then a 1230 with fish and chips and good reviews. Went with the second. All the while matt driving us straight on to te anau. Pulled into town about 6pm and stopped at a couple hotels looking for vacancy before settling on with with a kitchenette and close proximity to the lake. Ran to the grocery store to pick up some breakfast pie and then dropped off the car.

Walked along the water front in search of an anniversary dinner place to get steak and lamb. We ended up settling on the #12 restaurant per trip advisor--Moose, as it was on the water front. Ordered cocktail shrimp, a lamb shank over mash with gravy and a steak and prawns with crokettes and veggies. Enjoyed our drinks while waiting for our food hoping a seagull doesn't poo on us. Food was prewarned to be a little slow but when it finally arrived it was oh so good. No room for dessert, walked the lakefront back and tucked into bed. Tomorrow is early with laundry to do (matt is on his last tshirt and then a 2.5hoir scenic drive to milford sound and back ending in queenstown.