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Published: July 29th 2008
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Queenstown
The adrenaline capital in the evening 30th May - 6th June - Queenstown
Queenstown was recommended to us as 'the best place on earth' and having spent a week there I can say it definitely comes close! We arrived on the Friday evening with everyone on our bus thrilled to finally be here. After a group picture at the lake what better way to celebrate our arrival than party on in Queenstown on Friday night. With 100's of free drinks coming complementary of the Kiwi Experience the whole bus had a great night partying in Altitude and World Bar, sampling some of the traditional drinks served in Teapots.
Day 1 in Queenstown was kicked off with the first high adrenaline activity -The Canyon Swing. This consists of jumping from a platform overhanging a canyon and experiencing a 60 metre freefall before the rope tightens up and you swing across the 200m wide canyon. However, theres a catch. It isn't just a case of jumping, there are a variety of styles in which the fall can be completed with differing 'scare ratings'. Examples include - The chair (being strapped to a plastic chair and then pushed over the edge backwards) - The Osoma (having a bin
put over your head and then shuffled to the edge and finally pushed off). I had opted for the pin drop first to gain the most speed and then the backflip. What makes it worse is that when on the edge they pretend to push you off and then, at the last minute, haul you back in saying they haven't attached the cable yet. Its a real mind game and an amazing rush when you jump. Absolutely awesome!
Day 2 in Queenstown and the adrenaline sports were coming thick and fast. Today it was time for a round of Frisbee Golf! About the only activity which costs nothing! With a healthy number we set off round the course in doubles with the aim of throwing the Frisbee into the cages on each hole. It was a great laugh with some players (Rick) having an off game and often ending up further away from the hole than when he started! We then ate some traditional fish and chips by the lake before going for a spot of ice skating.
Day 3 and it was time for the Queenstown Combo! This included a Jetboat ride, Helicopter Ride and Luging. First
up was the Jetboat. Having completed one in Westport I thought I knew what to expect. Not the case! With imposing rock faces on either side of the river this was on a completely different level. We sped towards them at great speed only to make a last minute turn to avoid the boat becoming scrap. We really were dicing with death! Then the hydroplaning began and as Mike (the driver) pulled off the first 360 spin it was greeted with screams and a 'Nice one Miiiiiiiiikkkkkeeeeee!' After getting suitably wet what better way to dry off than a helicopter ride. We made our way to the Heli Pad and, feeling very much like rock stars, climbed aboard. After a quick scenic flight we made a dive for the peak overlooking Queenstown, leaving everyone's stomachs behind! On landing the luging championships began. There was great competetion between us all and after hurtling down the track a total of 6 times in fading light we had suffered a few injuries all in the name of winning. No pain no gain!
Day 4...the big one! All our adrenaline fuelled activities so far had been building up to this. It was time
The Canyon Swing
Just some of the crazy things the guys running this thing get up too! to attempt the fabled Nevis Bungee. Standing at 134m with a total 8 seconds of free fall (the longest in the world), many have attempted and failed. Few succeed in throwing themselves into the canyon below. Suspended on a platform hanging halfway across the canyon you really are exposed to the elements. Man or mouse! This was it! Having been ferried across in the cable car to the pod we had a date with death...and I couldn't wait! With the Foo Fighters exploding in my ears I sat in 'the chair' to be harnessed up. Asked to smile for the camera...i tired...but couldn't! Then as the previous jumper was hauled back up...it was my turn! Shuffling to the edge with my feet bound together my heart was racing. It always looks soooooooo much higher when you look down. Donned with my superman top (which had seemed such a good idea earlier on this morning) I was now regretting being so bold😊 Then, after a countdown and with one arm outstretched....i jumped! AMAZING! The feeling of ecstacy as I plummited towards the ground at an alarming speed was strangely satisfying and as I hung in midair in the middle of this
Frisbee Golf
James trying for par vast canyon...I knew my life was complete! (A little bit of an outrageous statement but thats pretty similar to what I felt.) Being hauled back up upside down, feeling very dizzy, I was congratulated and joined the short list of heroes who had conquered this great feat!
Day 5. A skydive...whyyyyyy not! After the epic Nevis Bungee of yesterday we thought we would calm things down a little with a 15000 foot skydive. We had good company as 5 friends were also attempting it, one due to ending up on the losing side of a rock, paper, scissors game. We were whisked off early morning to the drop zone, taking in some spectacular scenery which had featured in the infamous Lord Of The Rings movies along the way. On arrival we geared up and then waited as each pair ahead of us came down. Then it was mine and Jonathon's turn. We had opted for the whole jump to be videoed to prove to any doubters back home we had actually completed the jump. So, as we made the ascent to 15000 feet in clear blue skies, over mindblowing scenery, we were constantly being watched by the camera. Then
Ice skating
The champion partnership as we reached altitude, Tiago (the camera man) flung open the plane door and freezing air rushed in. He scaled the outside of the plane and hung as Rod and I sat on the edge. Go! We jumped! With Tiago falling with us it was crazy! A minutes freefall later the shoot opened and we watched as Tiago continued to fall. It was only at this point I realised how fast we had actually been falling as within a second he was a mere dot below. Another great jump! I could really get comfortable with these high adrenaline sports!
Day 5 and with it being our final day in Queenstown we thought we'd top the week off with some more luging. Great fun and good value for money. We had also set ourselves a challenge. Anyone who knows Queenstown will know of the legendary Burger Restaurant - Fergeburger. This restaurant has beaten off Burger King and The Hard Rock Cafe to remain the sole burger bar in Queenstown and it definitely deserves it! The burgers were about the size of a frisbee and some say...after eating one...you can go for a week without food (thats just what I heard!)
Seens as this was the one and only Fergeburger in the world we made it our mission to treat it with the respect it deserves and eat as many as possible in 24 hours. It was a tough one. I managed 3 while Ross and Rick forced down 5! A great effort!
Day 6. Today was a sad day for all as we would be leaving Queenstown. We all agreed that this week had to be one of the best on the Gap Year so far as we had completed some once in a lifetime activities and met some amazing people. But for now it was goodbye as we set off back up the East coast of the South Island, heading for Christchurch.
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