Chapter Twenty-Five
Mike woke Missy up at seven-thirty and insisted she pull on something warm to wear and join him out on the balcony.
Since it was only a few days past the winter solstice (the latest sunrise), it would remain dark until a few minutes after eight a.m. Mike explained, “I brought along this telescope which we can take turns looking through. According to my research, the Matariki should be visible any moment now from right here. It finally sets in the west in May but a month later, it reappears on the eastern horizon just before dawn.”
Missy asked, “What’s the Matariki and why should watching its rising be significant?”
In an eager voice, Missy said, “Ohhh, tell me more! I think I’m getting why we should be interested. It’s because it also signals a new beginning, right?”
“Absolutely!” exclaimed Mike. “Look there!” He handed her the telescope and pointed in the direction where he’d been looking.
While Missy then gazed at the stars which had now risen and become visible, Mike continued to explain what he’d learned about Pleiades and why he considered it to be most appropriate for the two of them to examine it.
They were married now which was a new beginning for their relationship.
They took turns using the telescope until the sun came up. Then, of course, they enjoyed seeing that sunrise as well. Missy was impressed that Mike had obviously given their honeymoon so much attention, thoroughly researching things for them to enjoy and appreciate.
Later that day, she was further impressed.
Mike had arranged for them to cruise on a vintage steamship across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to the Walter Peak High Country Farm.
This was a round-trip half day event and included a gourmet barbecue lunch.
It was a beautiful way to see majestic mountains while listening to a piano playing in the background.
They got to sit back on the lakeside terrace of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and savor the delicious aromas of local produce, sizzling away on the grill.
The lunch menu had plenty to choose from with salads, vegetables, local cheeses and succulent meats cooked on the outdoor grill.
To finish their meal there were scrumptious desserts to choose from.
Mike was too full but Missy couldn’t resist having their pavlova, which was meringue based with a crisp outside and a soft, marshmallow-like inside, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
They also got to see a sheep shearing demonstration along with some showmanship by the farm’s sheepdogs.
As they were snuggling together during the return ride from the island, Mike said, “I wanted us to spend today doing something relaxing like this after that crazy day of skiing we had yesterday. I know you can do physically demanding crazy stuff twenty-four seven but I need to pace myself.”
Missy giggled and said, “I only do the really crazy stuff when I’m not with you. Yesterday was perfect and I want us to go back and do all that once again before we leave.”
“Okay, I knew you would say that. I already reserved the same skis and equipment for us again on Wednesday. For tomorrow, I thought we’d go bungee jumping off the Kawarau Bridge, where bungee jumping first got started.
I know that’s a bit tame for you after all the HALO jumps you’ve made in the army but it will give me a chance to experience a little of what those might be like.
I like the idea of sharing some of what you get to feel, even though I know it will probably scare the hell out of me. ”
“Oh, I like that,” exclaimed Missy. “I think we can do that together, right?”
“Yep, that’s called tandem jumping where we are strapped together facing each other.
The drop from this bridge is more than one hundred and forty feet and we can choose to get our hair wet in the river which you probably might enjoy.
” Mike had booked for them to do this twice, figuring Missy would surely get a kick out of that.
They continued to discuss plans for the days ahead and Mike explained what the many options he had researched might involve. He told her he wanted her to decide on which adventure they’d be doing that Tuesday.
“Okay, I’ll have to think about it,” agreed Missy. “Now, when you first suggested we come here for our honeymoon, you not only mentioned our going on the cruise we’re doing today but you also said something about some private frolicking at Onsen Hot Pools. Is that still on the agenda?”
“It certainly is and I’ve made reservations for us to go there right after we finish this cruise.
Since we’ve already had such a huge lunch, we won’t need to eat a big meal again.
They have snacks and drinks there and I’ve read that the views from their hot tubs of the mountains and valley below are absolutely stunning.
We’ll be there for the sunset which everyone says is the best time to go.
The place is high above the Shotover River right near here. ”
“And can we really be completely naked when we’re there?”
“Oh, yes! I’ve been looking forward to this experience ever since I first learned about it,” explained Mike.
“These are private, cedar-lined pools designed for soaking and relaxation. They are filled with pure local mountain water which is artificially heated. Each pool has a retractable roof so we can truly enjoy the scenery.”
“Wow! And the prolonged foreplay with our frolicking naked will definitely enhance our lovemaking when we finally get back to our hotel suite tonight. What more could a new bride possibly wish for?”
There was a complementary bus shuttle which Missy and Mike took advantage of. The Onsen Hot Pools proved to be an even better experience than what they had imagined and they enjoyed themselves tremendously. They also enjoyed making love in their bedroom afterwards, just as Missy had predicted.
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Monday, June 27, 2022
When they got back to their hotel after spending the day bungee jumping, Mike was totally amped up. They had ended up doing a third jump and his heart was still racing. As for his stomach? He told Missy he had no idea where the hell that might be.
Missy had been able to sense and feel what Mike had felt during each jump, thanks to her empathic ability, and that had made their shared experience that much more memorable.
She was loving all the adrenaline which had been flowing through their veins that day.
Wow! She kept thanking Mike for making their honeymoon so fabulous.
It truly was far exceeding all her expectations, even though those indeed had been very high.
Mike knew her so well and had gone to such great lengths to plan things.
Yeah, she was finding even more things about him which she loved.
For their dinner, Mike had suggested they finally take advantage of the Lodge's Swiss chef to learn if his reputation was everything which he had read about. They both had the prime rib and had to agree it ranked among the world’s finest. Its high-quality was due to grass-fed beef from free-range cattle raised with high welfare standards.
The result was tender, juicy, and flavorful with excellent marbling.
They also had to agree the chef had earned his reputation. They really enjoyed eating their wonderful meal with an uninterrupted view of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. There was even an open fire which made things extra cozy.
They lingered long after finishing their dessert.
The wine had been wonderful and so was the Irish coffee which they ordered after finishing their meal.
After chit chatting about the day which they’d just had, Mike asked, “What have you decided we should do for tomorrow?” He handed her the list of suggestions which he had prepared.
Missy answered, “Mmm, I still haven’t been able to decide.
This place has been so great. I’ve been able to forget about everything else and just stay focused on you and me.
” After pausing to review Mike’s list, she looked up and said, “I think spending the day in nearby Arrowtown sounds fun. According to this, Arrowtown is where they had a big gold rush back in the eighteen-sixties around the same time as California did in the U.S. They have both a European Miners’ Village and a Chinese Miners’ Village along with a museum.
Lots of original huts, cottages and historic buildings have been preserved and restored. ”
Mike nodded and said, “Okay, that sounds good and I did research that place a bit. I know they have some nice trails which we can walk as well as plenty of cafés where we can grab a bite to eat. Plus, of course, there are very good restaurants and even a winery.”
“I almost feel guilty the way we keep indulging ourselves, Mike. Then I remind myself that we’re on our honeymoon and that we’re supposed to be doing exactly that.
” Missy sighed contentedly and handed Mike back his list. “For Thursday, we don’t need to go anywhere.
I want to spend that day in our wonderful room.
Just you, me and maybe some room service.
It’s only right that we enjoy the fabulous resort which you picked out for us. ”
“Well, since we’re on our honeymoon, I believe that too is what we’re supposed to be doing. Spending lots of time when it’s just the two of us. No distractions. Making love morning, noon and night …” Mike began laughing at Missy’s expression when she heard him say that.
They continued to banter playfully for several more minutes. Then, they finally went up to their room. Once there? Oh, yes! They made love like two wild and crazy lovers on their honeymoon!
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Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Things at Arrowtown did not go according to plan.
Upon arrival they noticed some sort of commotion with a crowd gathered outside one of the hotels.
Naturally, Missy insisted on getting close enough to hear what was going on.
She learned there apparently had been some sort of an accident since two people were missing.
They had gone to do the Kepler Track hike and had not returned.
Buddy Clarkson and his brother Randy were from Australia and had come to Arrowtown with their wives.
The two couples had gone on this famous walk the previous summer and the brothers had insisted on repeating the experience again in the winter.
Since that was much more difficult, the wives had remained behind.
The Kepler Track was a thirty-seven mile circular hiking track which traveled through the landscape of the South Island of New Zealand and was situated near the town of Te Anau, which was a little over two hours away from Arrowtown by car.
The track was one of the New Zealand Great Walks and passed through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park.
There were rocky mountain ridges, tall mossy forests, lake shores, deep gorges, rare wetlands, tussock grasslands and many rivers.
Compared with other tracks in New Zealand, this walking track was constructed to a very high standard.
Most streams were bridged, boardwalks covered boggy areas and the very steep sections had steps.
It was a moderate walking track that normally would take three to four days to complete in the summer.
The wives had dropped their husbands off at Te Anau and the plan was for them to pick the brothers back up again four days later.
Today was the fifth day and the men had still not returned.
The Department of Conservation had been contacted and their search and rescue team members were now talking to the two wives as they prepared to begin looking for the missing brothers.
Missy listened to much of the conversation and learned that both men were very experienced hikers and had done most of the correct things in preparation for their hike.
Unfortunately, the one thing they had not done was bring any distress beacon.
They also did not have any satellite phone but had only brought their mobile phones with them.