New Zealand - South Island

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New Zealand has got to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The scenery is indescribable...and will take your breath away!

Thursday, my family and I flew to Christchurch. After checking into our three bedroom apartment we walked to Speight's Ale House for some dinner and, of course, some Speight's beer. After dinner we walked to Cathedral Square in the center of the city, featuring an English Victorian Gothic Cathedral which was finished in 1881. Then we went to Sol Square, a hip area of the city with unique bars hidden along an alleyway, and tried out some more New Zealand beer.

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We woke up early the next morning to hit the road...destination Queenstown! We drove along the inland scenic route, making a few stops along the way to take in the incredible scenery. The landscape started out with the flat Canterbury Plains and gradually changed into a more dramatic scenery with lakes, rivers, and mountains as we headed closer towards Queenstown. The lakes along the way were a unique, irradacent blue color, evidence of the sediments from the glaciers that carved out the lakes years and years ago. We stopped at Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, the Big Picture winery, and ate lunch in Cromwell. Though the drive was a long six hours, it was definitely worth it! When we finally made it to Queenstown, we were in awe of it's beauty. The town reminded me of a Colorado resort town during the summer. Queenstown lies on Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by beautiful mountains, leaving no disappointing view wherever you may be. That afternoon we browsed the shops in the downtown area and enjoyed the picturesque surroundings.

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Saturday we woke up early again hoping to go on a cruise and flight tour to Milford Sound. To our disappointment, the weather near Milford Sound wasn't good so the tour was cancelled. So, instead we rode the Skyline Gondola up to the top of the mountain for an amazing view overlooking Queesnstown and it's surroundings. Up at the top, Katie and Eric went down on the luge a couple of times which looked like fun. Unfortunately, I woke up with a stomach ache which lasted until the next day so I didn't go. However, that afternoon I was determined (no matter how bad I was feeling) to go on the Shotover jet boat ride with Dad, Mom, and Katie. Now that was definitely worth it! The jet boat was quite thrilling as it whipped around, doing 360 degree turns, and coming only inches away from crashing into the rocks of the Shotover River Canyons! Mom and I screamed quite a few times!

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Sunday was a long day of traveling. We drove the six hours back to Christchurch and caught a flight to Brissy. We all agreed that New Zealand was definitely one of our top destinations and would love the chance to return someday soon!