18th july 2009

This morning we drove 20 mintues from Arrowtown to Queenstown, once we got here we found a campsite only 5 mintues walk to the centre. There are loads of hills around here and we got stuck half way up one! We were wheel spinning and sliding down the hill but luckily Mike saved the day! We both love it here already, the area, the atmosphere. We could both stay here for longer if we had the time and money!

Once parked up we took a walk into the centre, there are lots of restuarants, cafes, bars and ski shops! We enquired today about snowboarding and ended up booking a full day with a 2 hour lesson for Monday, we are so excited, argh!! For 75 pound each we have got access to the slopes all day and to the ski lifts, clothing, boots and boards, and a 2 hour lesson!!

After booking boarding and taking a walk around the town, we went back to Trev with some amazing crepes we bought from a stall down the road. OMG they were so yummy, i had nutella, banana and coconut and Mike was boring and had sugar and lemon. We then went and watch a local rugby match which was really busy. Tonight we had campervan olympics 2009 which involved games such as mc Donalds monopoly, uno, who could hold there breath for the longest and other games, lol! Mike won :-(

19th July 2009

This morning we went upto the gondala to the viewing deck which has amazing views over the whole of Queenstown. The gondala was really steep and it seems so stupid that after a bungy, skydive etc that it scared me, lol. At the top we had a walk around and took some pictures, we also managed to spot Trev having a nap back at camp! We had a drink and scone in the cafe and where hoping to watch some people bungy as there is one up here but no one was jumping yet so we got the gondala back down.

After here we walked back into town to get a few bits for boarding tomorrow. We also researched fiji, our final stop!

We went back to camp for some lunch and to chill out for a bit before playing the best mini golf EVER! It was so good, an indoor centre, 18 holes with a theme for each hole and loads of electrical features, lol, geeky i know, but me and mike were very excited by such a good mini golf! We even got a chuppa chubb lolly at the end, Mike beat me by 8 points, boo.

We are catching an early night tonight as we are off on the slopes early doors tomorrow, cant wait!!!!!!!

20th July 2009

This morning we were up early doors, it was still pitch black outside! We got ready and walked to the ski centre in town to catch the 8am bus to the slopes. There were already lots of people waiting for the buses but we managed to make it on the first one of the day! It took about half an hour to get to the slopes. The first 10 mintues was driving out of Queenstown to the bottom of the mountains and then the next 20 minutes was driving all the way up the mountains, right on the edge of massive drops! We didnt realise how far up the mountains we had to go to reach the slopes.

Once we got there we went to the rentals area to get kitted up. For the price we payed the rental gear was really good, both had ski jacket and pants, snowboarding boots and of course a snowboard! Once we were dressed and ready to go we headed for the beginners slopes as its been over 4 months since we last had a lesson so we needed some practice on easy slopes first! We both started off well. At 10.30 we had a 2 hour lesson, we were in a group of 4 and th einstructor we had was really good. We were taught to link our turns and how to brake properly on our toe and heel edge. Mike did really well and picked it up really quickly. I however seemed to get worse as the lesson went on! After our lesson we stopped for lunch.

After lunch we went back out onto the slopes and this time Mike was my teacher! He was actually really good and very helpful and in less than an hour I was making it all the way down the slope, linking my turns and braking without falling! Mike went up on the ski lift to a harder run a couple of times and loved it. A professional photographer took some really good pictures so I had to buy them!

We have both had a such a good day on the slopes and are loving snowboarding. When we finished we had to walk back down the beginners slope to get the bus and I fell right on my bum infront of loads of people, lol, it really hurt. Mike found it hilarious and was in no hurry to help me back up again :-(

When we got back to camp we both got a well needed shower and then walked into town for a fergburger. This is a very small shop selling a variety of burgers and is packed day and night. The burgers are amazing though, they were sooo good and massive!

An awesom end to one of our best days travelling!!

We both love Queenstown and could stay longer for sure, we are sad to leave tomorrow but our travels must continue...