Blogs from Queenstown, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 12

Aahh...Queenstown, known as the adventure capital! Basically it's the Vail of New Zealand. A beautiful mountain town with all the outdoor activities one could ever want where everything is overpriced and everyone is gorgous. I went on another LOTR tour today and tomorrow I am hoping to paraglide, but the weather may not be in my favor. For those of you who missed the best rugby match ever (probably everyone reading this), the All Blacks have won the Lions Series! While there is still one game left to play tonight decided the winner with the All Blacks overcoming all of the whining and controversy the Lions dished out. It was brilliant! I was a little sad that I was going to miss the 4th, but I just happen to be in Queenstown during the winter festival, ... read more

I have one of the worst head colds I have ever experienced, I have blisters the size of Texas on my heels and I believe I have either bruise or cracked a rib, but man am I having fun!!! When I last left off I was in Nelson. Friday we went to Abel Tasman Park- it was a beautiful spot. We took a water taxi up to a dropoff point and did a 5 hr. trek through lush rainforest landscape with lookout points that exposed stretches of sandy beaches and aqua blue water. Lots of little waterfalls and fern gullies. Not too shabby! The next day there was an open air arts and crafts maket next to the hostel. Handmade jewlery, fresh fruits, useless trinkets= good times. We had a little rain after the maket closed ... read more

For those of you very faithful readers, and especially those who like to read and see things in order you will have to forgive me (Elizabeth) as I am just starting to get the hang of this blog thing. Tanya has done such a wonderful job over the past few months I had some pretty big shoes to fill!! I'm learning so hang with me and I'll get you the story and sooner or later it will all fall into order!! (Tanya is doing a good job of coaching while she continues her travels!!) ... read more

Elizabeth and I arrived in Queenstown after a short flight from Christchurch. Queenstown is located in the South Island of New Zealand and is absolutely picturesque despite it’s bone-chilling temperatures. I am certain that Lake Wakatipu (or “the hollow of the sleeping giant”) is one of the reasons I enjoyed taking in the views of Queenstown. It's also a popular spot for risky water activities, bungee jumping and sky diving. Hiring a car for the day and allowing Elizabeth to escort us around Glenorchy and Paradise while driving on the “wrong” side of the road in the “wrong” side of the car was enough to get my heart rate pumping. No, not really- Elizabeth did a great job-much braver than myself! We found a nice café in Glenorchy (about a 45 minute drive from Queenstown) where ... read more

If you can't find it here, it hasn't been invented yet! Queenstown is the world center of adventures. You can do Bungy, Paragliding, Skydive, raceboat, rafting, canoe, MTB, fly etcc........ The city is pretty small but location is beautiful between mountains and a lake. Today I walked to the top of the mountain and had an amazing view over the city and the surroundings. I stayed there for a while and had lunch while going through the map and things to do. Then I saw it... THE END!! BLUFF = the south end of NZ... as far as the road goes and ends.. so of course I had to go there and try their world famous oysters that are the size of the palm of your hand. I've been driving 1100 km in 3 days and ... read more

OK, lots to update here so will try and be brief - highlights only! Left Wellington with a hangover so the 3 hour ferry ride across to the south island wasn't great for me actually. Didn't see much of Nelson as I was sleeping but according to other people on my bus it was very nice. We passed through a town called Greymouth which has been hit a couple of days before by a hurricane - it was all over the news but actaully there was very little damage to be seen. The roof of a local blacksmiths had been completely ripped off but the buildings around it were totally untouched. Bet he was pleased. In fact, it turns out that despite the fuss that was being made in the media only one person was hurt ... read more