...I wake up tired and walk around Queenstown, wondering how on Earth they squeezed so many adrenaline activities in one place: you can do everything here from canyoning, rappelling, all kinds of surfing, cave exploring, jet boat rides, jet ski, skydiving, paragliding and everything else you can dream of
...I find out that in limited time parking streets city police mark your tire with chalk and then check again if you're still there after a certain time has passed. I watch my car closely for marks as I sip my coffee in a cafe next to it, but I still find a ticket when I return. It's just $15 though and you can pay it, like everything else here, online!
...by the way the cafe I'm in, I find afterwards it is hailed in the guidebook as something of the eighth wonder of the world. In reality I find rude service, relentless crowds and dirty glasses (which upon my request are exchanged for other, slightly less dirty glasses)
...I buy some supplies for my upcoming multi day trek - rice, pasta and such...There is a big choice of freeze dried stuff made in NZ, but I opt for standard products.
...I notice locals use a cute term "pre-loved" for everything second hand - preloved cars, clothes etc.
...I find out 30% of traffic accidents are caused by tourists. Massive!
...I'm happy to report that mineral water, though expensive, is always filled up to the very lid, which always makes me spill a little when I open it.
...I sign up for a trip to Milford Sound for the next day and to make good use of this day I buy a trip on a jet boat. It is a unique kind of speedboat invented here in Queenstown. It zips on mountain rivers between steep canyon walls narrowly missing rocks and cliffs on the way. To get to the river we take a bus down the world's third most dangerous road. It's a narrow gravel thing built 120 years ago passing over sheer drops of more than 250 m at times.
...we pass some cool Lord of the Rings locations on the way. The driver provides some very good guiding on the bus and the boat experience, though short, is extraordinary.
...the driver tells us many facts about the area, namely that properties here are among the most expensive in New Zealand and that 50 thousand tourists are in town each day on average. And also that Queensland is a prime Chinese wedding destination averaging 15 Chinese weddings per week.
...I meet Israeli and Russian tourists for the first time!
...I learn that there was a bush fire in Glenorchy last night just after I left caused by a careless camper who had lit a bonfire. Now the town is cut off, there is no power and authorities are considering evacuation by water. It will take days to contain it. That was a close shave
...sitting in my car on a sunny day with my window rolled down I get asked by a shabby tattooed youngster if I know where to score some weed. Apparently I have the looks of a dealer. Just because my car is dirty and I'm a little unshaven? Or would it be police entrapment?