I arrived in hangover central the day after Paddy's day, along with a busload more people who I didn't know. Queenstown is the adrenaline/party capital of the world and home to the Shotover Canyon Swing where I will no doubt be crapping myself in the not-too-distant future.

I got quite busy on the first day organising my entire next week, then joined the bus folks for a lot of huge pizzas and a night out. I was out for a while but eventually grew tired of not really getting to know anyone, and when the $1000 bar tab at World Bar ended the moment I got to the the front of the bar scrum, I called it a night. On my wayward stroll back, I had to stay and help a guy who had fallen from a first-storey balcony and was in shock. I chatted to him and helped stretcher him into the ambulance. Good deed done for the day, and technically I was only five minutes in.

On day two, Saturday, I also did not very much. I moved to Absoloot Value Accommodation as it was smaller and easier to meet non bus-touring teenagers, and because Jan was there. They also have free Internet via the cafe next door - just order one coffee and get the wireless key - bonus! That was a distraction for most of the day, then I attempted a failed walk up to the gondola, getting lost in the trees. Finally I played some frisbee golf and met up with Liz for some Fergburger goodness afterwards.

When I was about to go to bed I found some people in the hostel reception doing some good drinking. I joined them and eventually went out with three kiwi guys for a night out until 3am. Much better!

Day three: Canyon Swing day. I calmed my nerves by watching Superbad with Jan, then I swaggered off to the Canyon Swing shop in full confidence to choose my jump styles and get to the canyon. I was probably a bit nervous, but not too worried until it came to the point where I was out on the platform. I persuaded myself to jump backwards for the first go, which took a lot more courage than I expected. My legs were shaking a fair bit and my fingers were tingling after I'd done it. Next time I was hung upside down with a teddy bear "gimp" dressed as the Ridler attached to me, then when I was looking down I was released head first towards the rocks. Yep. Scary.

I returned to the hostel, watched more movies (including my own DVD of the canyon swing) and called it a night. Early start tomorrow for Te Anau and the Kepler Track!