Anyway we arrived in Queenstown and once again we felt drawn to the area immediately, probably because it looks a lot like Wanaka- just on a busier scale and wow was it busy when we arrived.
Our late arrival only gave us the chance to really get supplies, while we’re on that subject, the Fresh Choice brand of supermarket has quite an ironic name, considering both times we’ve been into one the food has been far from fresh (I complain too much). An evening stroll around the harbour area conjoined with meeting a lovely American girl- Paige, ended our night.
Our first full day and determined to get what I could out of the day and the good weather, though I only managed half a day, was spent on the Gondola to the Skyline resort- probably one of the steepest Gondola rides I’ve ever been on. Though well worth it as at the top we greeted with what we both agreed was the greatest view we had seen on our travels in New Zealand.
Postcard perfect or what?! This also gave us both the chance to have another go on the Luge, not quite as good as the one in Rotorua but none the less great fun. After spending some degree of time soaking up that amazing view and equally the perfect weather, we descended down to the base of the mountain and decided upon a game of mini-golf; Jen just wanted to get one back on me after losing in Taupo- she failed, evidently I’m just a better mini golfer. A quick walk around Queenstown park to discover the first European to inhabit Queenstown was a man from Jen’s dads hometown of Haverford West.
Also, we had the chance to watch the odd sport of Frisbee golf (no explanation needed it’s pretty much as it sounds)- which looked like it needed much more skill than me and Jenny possess.
The next day we decided with the weather still in our favour we would head down to Arrowtown. On arrival I mentioned to Jen that the little place reminded me of Hay On Wye in Wales, she agreed. In a sense it really does but then again on the other hand it couldn’t be any more opposite from Hay. Arrowtown is a preserved old gold mining town, complete with buildings of that period and a handful of little shops and quite a few cafés- even though I enjoyed the town I have to say it felt far too touristy (ironic I know).
We strolled around the town before picking one of the more modern café’s down the small backstreets, Snatch. I had the very American breakfast of bacon on spicy French toast with banana and maple syrup… a concoction that oddly enough does work and I’m sure will keep me pretty slim, I think even though she’s a vegetarian Jen was very envious of my dish.
After that hearty meal a walk was needed, so we walked along the old Chinese settlement- an area inhabited by Chinese immigrants during the gold mining Rush (a few of the buildings still stand) in Arrowtown, the walk is very easy; though informative and well worth a look.
Some time spent chilling out in the sun on the riverbank was on the cards next- or in my case falling asleep.
Our final full day in Queenstown brought another slow day, though greeted us with a fantastic surprise in the morning… snow.
Though this does have one drawback, that of course being the cold weather. We headed down for the obligatory warm up drink at Patagonia- who do an amazing Mexican chilli hot chocolate- it works but it’s ridiculously sickly. We had intended to look around the Saturday morning Art and Crafts market along the riverfront, though due to the morning snow it had been called off bar a few stalls. Enough may I add for Jen to go jewellery shopping. Our alternative plan was a short visit to a free observatory under the lake, letting you see the fish in their natural habitat- the highlights though clearly being New Zealand’s only true diving duck and the not so beautiful eel.
Having been told by a British guy in Wanaka, who was incidentally from Worcester (a short drive from our own city), that we can’t leave without trying the famous Fergburger, I felt no matter what state I was in it just had to be done- and I was glad it was done, though it was the most ridiculous sized burger we’ve both had.
So much for the short entry, anyway onto Dunedin next.
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