Blogs from Queenstown, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 10

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Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 30th 2005

It's summer here in the southern hemisphere, and the living is easy. I feel like it's been so long since I felt the summer sun. I've already gotten burned twice. The sunscreen does no good here. Well, where did I leave off last time? We finished up work at the vineyard. It was a nice stay, but we were ready to be on the road again. Our last days weren't so bad. The weather was sunny, but cool, so working 8.5 hours in the field wasn't all that bad. Clint even had a bath in the cool Clutha River after work one day. We drove back to Wanaka, stocked up on food and gas and then headed south to Queenstown. We only stopped here briefly to check in with the Department of Conservation about our planned ... read more
Clutha valley
Wanaka
Storm

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 30th 2005

Hello all! Let me pick up where I left off. After recovering from the sea sickness, I boarded a bus the following morning to Punakaiki. Now, most people make this a quick 40 minute stop over, but I decided to stay the night. As you read, you will understand why. This was my vacation from my vacation. First of all, the bus ride was again amazing. The roads curve and cut through the mountains and forests and you see rivers and waterfalls along the way. It truly is breathtaking. Even when I know I have a full day on the bus I am excited to see the countryside. I just can't get enough! We pulled into Punakaiki and I didn't realize how small it was. There were three buildings in town - a cafe, art gallery ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 22nd 2005

André at the Birds Ferry Lodge had recommended we take the Crown Range road as a shortcut to Queenstown, and we enjoyed it very much. At the summit we stood outside, teeth chattering, looking at the gorgeous view of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and snow-dusted mountains as tiny flakes of snow fell around us. Then we descended into the valley. We went over to the Kawarau Bridge to take a look and possibly bungy jump, but there was a couple-hour wait so we decided to get lunch and try somewhere else. We ate at Gourmet Express in Queenstown - an homage to the American diner where we got burgers, steak sandwiches and chips (fries). Rich asked for mustard and was given “American mustard” or yellow mustard (I guess Dijon mustard is the standard everywhere else). We took ... read more
Rich on the Crown Range approaching Queenstown
Kawarau Gorge
Gary and Ben - ready to luge

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 15th 2005

Climbed the 900m Queenstown hill, while Adam did some mountain biking, got some good photos. Heading on to Te Anau in the hope of doing one of The Great Walks from there in the Fjordlands.... read more
View from the top of Queenstown Hill
View from the top of Queenstown Hill 2
View from the top of Queenstown Hill 3

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 13th 2005

So somehow, since I last wrote from Bonny Invercargill, 18 days have passed and once more my feeble attempts to be disciplined in writing this account are given a severe working over by the realities of travelling. Let's get on with it shall we... We left Invercargill early, intent on reaching Dunedin by nightfall, taking a day to pass through the famously rugged southern coastline known as the Catlins. Taking the scenic highway from Invercargill to Balclutha, it is possible to visit a number of beautiful remote beaches, rocky clifftops and other natural features. On our way through, we picked up a grateful young German hitchiker, who was just wandering his way through the area. It took a couple of our quick-fire tourist stops to convince him that he actually was looking for a different kind ... read more
The best of friends...
Baldwin Street, Dunedin
Sandfly Beach

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 13th 2005

Spent 4 hours in PuzzleWorld! Yes, I know it sounds sad, and yes the park is aimed at school children, but when you get lost in a 1.5km 3D maze, it can take some time to get out. Arrived in Queenstown later that day, checked in and watched The Fastest Indian, which is a pretty good film, apart from Anthony Hopkin's awful Kiwi accent.... read more
A fence full of bras
Me in Queenstown

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown October 30th 2005

I arrived in Queenstown yesterday afternoon after a short drive from Wanaka. We were lucky and were greeted with beautiful weather. The scenery in Queenstown is amazing. This town is surronded by a mountain range called The Remarkables and is on the shore of a crystal clear (but very cold) lake. Queenstown is know to be a bit touristy, which I could definately see. There is a lot to do and see in this area it is no wonder that the town is popular. Yesterday I took it easy. After much diliberation I decided to pass on bungy jumping. A bridge just outside of Queenstown is where bungy jumping began, which is one of the reasons Queenstown is considered the adventure capital of New Zealand. On a walk around the lake though I managed to fall ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown October 15th 2005

New Zealand - What a Beauty! We've just about finished an incredibly nice week in Queenstown, on the South Island. We're both amazed at just how incredibly gorgeous the area is - breathtaking!! The two of us have been to some very amazing locations before but; we both agree that this must be one of, if not THE, most beautiful place. The mountains, lakes, fiords; the weather; the food; and the people - simply put, an A-plus experience! We arrived on Sunday, 10/09, and have been up to something new everday. We have: taken the gondola to the top of a local hilltop to view Queenstown from above and take a hike; sat by the lake in the town gardens, relaxing and reading; Hiked to the top of Queenstown Hill - a 3 hour trip straight ... read more
4-star accomodations- the airport floor
Queenstown Bay, the first day
The gondola ride

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown October 9th 2005

OK so I may not have been blown over by a feather but I have been by the scenery, especially on my trip today. Currently in a place called Queenstown which sits on beautiful Lake Wakatipu. So what have I been up to since I left the North Island last Sunday? Well I shall hence forth tell you. Got the inter island ferry to a place called Picton where there is nothing else there apart from the ferry terminal. Most interesting thing we saw there was the bus drivers dad's house. The scenery once we had crossed into the Southland area was things you see on postcards. Huge hills covered in trees and some bare after the effects of logging. I stood at the back of the ferry and got good views all around. The water ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown October 6th 2005

hello all..... we are in the lovely location of queenstown now. here are some photos of ali sky diving... since we have got to queenstown we have gone white water rafting ish.... kind of and hung out in the kiwi sanctuary and went to the cinema 50000 million times because it lashed rain. today we will be crusing on a old boat and i (ali) may do a bungy jump?!?!?@?#?$?%?^?&????? and we might be animals and go out on the rip again. enjoy. will mail with more photos soon. ... read more
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