Hello from NZ Part 2 Franz to Dunedin

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May 29th 2006

Published: July 11th 2006

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TJG

Tasting Pinot

Gibbston Wine Cave, Central Otago

Well, I'm currently in Dunedin, a cute little university town.

After Franz Josef, I spent 5 days in Queenstown, which is a really fun town - and a town that likes to take your money. Sort of Whistler-ish in a way. Big into Extreme everything.

Yes, I did the bungy jumps. I was not intending to at first, but then I decided I couldn't be a big chicken, so I did all 3. The K-Bridge was my 1st jump at 43m. I then did the Ledge jump at night time (it overlooks Queenstown) at 47m. Finally, the Nevis, at 134 m. I have video and pictures for them all - so you can see me freaking out live the next time I see you. The look of fear that crosses my face before my first jump is pretty funny. I had a friend come watch me do the Nevis, so I have pictures of that one uploaded.

Other than that, I spent a day doing a wine tour of the Otago region. Pinot Noirs, which I much prefer over Sauv Blanc - although I did try a barrel fermented sauv blanc (asparagus and capsicum) which was really amazing.

Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump

World's 1st Commercial Bungy Site

After Queenstown, we went to Milford sound and did a sound boat tour, which was very nice. Everyone talks about how spectacular Milford Sound is, but it looks so very much like Vancouver Island, that I just cannot work up the same awe for it.

Next up was Invercargill, which is a depressing town at the very south of the South Island, but the jumping off point for Stewart Island. Or maybe not a depressing town, just depressing weather. It was gray and raining. But, we brightened our spirits with a little drink and song at the Frog N Firkin. Somehow I got talked into karioke - I guess if I could bungy jump and all. . . Elyse and I sang a lovely rendition of California Dreamin - lovely if you're a dog anyway.

From Invergargill, I crossed to Stewart Islandand spent 2 days there. The 1st day was pouring rain, so we didn't do much - just a walk out to Ackers Point Lighthouse. The second day I went to Ulva Island, which has a nature sanctuary where the DOC has killed off all of the non-native pests (ie possums, rats, etc) and are re-introducing

The Ledge Bungy

Up Above Queenstown

native plants and birds. I spent 4 hours wondering around observing weka, wood pigeons, oyster catchers and a green and red parakeet, which looks a lot like a parrot, in their natural habitat.

The ferry crossing from Stewart Island to Bluff is one of the roughest crossings in the world. I didn't know what they were talking about on the crossing to Stewart Island as it was relatively calm. The crossing back to the South Island was rough. I generally enjoy the bumpy waves and am not generally prone to seasickness, but after about 1/2 an hour in, I was feeling it. Iain and I had to go sit near the back of the boat and 5 minutes later I was using the barf bags. Nothing you could do, it was so rough that we had to stay in our seats, so I was trying to puke as quietly as possible. There just isn't an elegant way to do that.

After Stewart Island I travelled up to Dunedin. I've been here two days - didn't do much yesterday except laundry. Today I wandered aroundthe town and walked up the world's steepest street.

After Dunedin, I go around