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I had high expectations of Queenstown from what my friends who visited told me. I am pleased to say I was not disappointed. I'm glad I booked 5 nights here, if not a little sad I had not booked more. Unfortunately if I was going to see the rest of the South Island I had to limit my time here. I had a spectacular view as I landed on 19th November by plane. I stepped off the plane and was taken by surprise by yet another drop in temperature... 12 degrees and snow topped mountains in every direction. Putting up with the cold was going to be an easy exchange for the stunning scenery Queenstown had to offer. I eagerly picked up my car rental. This was exciting to have freedom and independence again after 8 weeks of buses. I drove from the airport straight to my luxury accommodation (I say luxury, it was still a hostel). But this was the nicest hostel I'd stayed in.... Free international calls, wifi, tea / coffee, power shower, comfy (non-squeaky) beds with usb socket, free bike hire... The list is endless. I realise this now seems boring to whoever is reading this but it's the little things that get you excited when travelling! Anyway, that evening I went for what I thought would be a short drive to the north of the lake but did not realise how big it was! It took me 1.5 hours each way but was worth it as I reached the small village of Glenorchy and 'paradise road.' Words cannot describe how pretty it is... Massive snow topped mountains, crystal clear blue water, green green grass with cows and sheep.
The next day I had a nice walk around queenstown, in particular queenstown gardens. At first it looks like some nice gardens and then you get inside and discover it has an Ice rink, Tennis courts, bowls, skate park and Frisbee golf walks. Frisbee golf is something I'd never seen before but is exactly as it sounds.... 18 metal nets that you have to throw a frisbee into following the rules of golf. It looked fun! But unfortunately not a game you can really play by yourself lol.
After my walk and some lunch I caught the Gondola up the mountain and then a chair lift further to have a go on the famous luge. It is basically a racing track on the side of a mountain that you ride as fast as you dare down in a kind of gokart. This was amazing fun! I had 5 go's :-)
The next day I drove round the other side of lake and had a lovely walk by shot over water where they do the jet boating. For dinner I couldn't resist having the World famous burger; the fergburger. It claims to be the best in the world! It defeated me, it was so huge! Very yummy though! I also watched the queenstown marathon / felt very sorry for them running in the rain. My final day was saving the best activity until last. The weather was perfect (as it had previously been intermittently cloudy / rainy), but today was clear blue skies. The perfect day to jump off a cliff?! I did the worlds highest cliff jump... The shot over canyon swing. I didn't think I'd be as scared as I was, it really was terrifying! It wasn't the height that particularly bothered me, it was the length of time of the free fall! It was 10 seconds before the ropes kicked in... This feeling was horrible! Just constantly falling! I am very glad I did it though as it was an amazing experience. You can jump off in 74 different ways... From forwards, backwards, sideways, flips to tipping of a chair or a mini bicycle! I chose the run and jump (nothing to extreme but it meant I had to jump myself). When I was ready to go I changed my mind and said can you just drop me instead? (Much easier). But they wouldn't let me change my mind and said I had to jump. So off I went! Haha.
That afternoon was spent very chilled relaxing on the waterfront. I then spotted a clairvoyant so thought I'd see what he had to say... I'm not too sure whether I'm convinced or not... All I am saying is I'll wait until April and then tell you if he was right or not!
The next day I am up early to hit the road. I am sad to be leaving as I loved my time in queenstown and really feel this would be a place I could live. I'm tempted to return for a ski season here... Watch this space!
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