Queenstown

Queenstown is just stunning – mountains, snow and green valleys with bright touquoise rivers. The airport is small but nice, clean and modern – all of 2 conveyor belts. In and out is quick. The weather has been cool with intermittent sprinkles.

These sprinkles turned into little stings during the Shotover boat ride. What exhilarating fun popping 360’s. The boat captain gives you an arm-up warning of an impending 360. Then just when you think he is going to start the turn where there is actually some river to turn in, he turns right into the canyon wall. Like a Universal Studio ride – just much colder and longer and so much more fun. Makes the theme park just a little too tame and way too short! Robert’s brand new All Blacks cap went a flying and has since been replaced while shopping at the many fun stores. This is a lovely resort town with lots of young active people. Everybody is on vacation – quite a few Americans besides many foreign languages.

Unfortunately it appears that the overnight Milford Sound boat is not moveable – so our tour around the Sound tomorrow will be on a sistership and then we transfer over to the Mariner were we will get dinner and stay overnight. Not perfect for a very expensive side trip – but we will see how it goes.

Relaxing for a few minutes in the free hotel room (thanks to Choice Hotel points Robert has accumulated). May head out again tonight. The world “cocktail”cup is going on in Queenstown – so we may have to make it to a bar. We were invited by one place that is supporting the Scottish team.

I need to get this update on the blog so will sign off for now!