Joe Romano
Despite not making it to New Zealand for Christmas because of Christchurch's December 23 earthquakes, Joe Romano, of Adelaide, says the outstanding weather since has made up for it.
Mr Romano, his 16-year-old son, previously Dunedin-based wife and her sister are staying in a holiday home in Clyde, using the hamlet as a springboard to explore the Central Otago district.
The attraction for the semi-retired car salesman and panelbeater, who visits the area every few years, lies in the abundance of golf courses the region has to offer and in visiting his wife's old haunts.
"The women go out and I play golf, so I'm very happy with that," Mr Romano laughed.
The group were meant to fly over in time for Christmas, but got stuck in Australia when Christchurch Airport closed for earthquake checks and then Melbourne was hit by a storm the following day.
However, they finally got in on the 27th, stopping by in Dunedin before finally arriving in Clyde on New Year's Eve, "where the first thing I did was go have a round at the golf course".
They are staying, courtesy of a house swap, four minutes away from the beach and swimming every day, "with 42, 38 and 37 degrees for the last three days".
Mr Romano normally makes the trip in February or March, when the area is usually sun-drenched, but counts himself lucky the weather gods have smiled on the family.
"It's just been perfect this time. We haven't had a bad day yet and while it's been windy, as long as it doesn't rain at the same time, I'm on the golf course. That's fine with me."
Having played a round at the Millbrook Golf Course on Monday, he was joining the group in heading up the Skyline Gondola - but not before a spot of shopping, of course.
The party have until January 18 before they fly back home from Christchurch and Mr Romano noted that while the area keeps bringing him back, it is also a drawcard for many of his friends.
"It's economic. A lot of my friends come here when the snow comes, as it's cheaper to come here than to go skiing in Australia."
