After the coldness of Palmerston we drove cross-country to Queenstown. We finally saw the gorgeous scenery of New Zealand, this time it was snow-capped mountains in the distance, as well as the obligatory small town stop for lunch! We stopped in Clyde at a little cafe for Jo's toasted sandwich and my mouth-burning soup, which somehow managed to tongue-tie me for a few scary moments. Once we both realised I couldn't stop mincing my words the panic set it: maybe the panic made it worse, alas I live to tell the tale!

We arrived in Queenstown at 3 and wandered down to the information centre to plan our time: Jo ended up booking a kayak and jetboat tour for the Thursday, although it took some persuading to make her realise it was worth the extra $60 or so for the kayaking, she was certainly pleased with her decision when she got back to the van Thursday night!

Queenstown was made all the better for the fact that when we plugged in our power cord, would you Adam and Eve it, it worked! So the power site we were assured worked of course didn't, fortunately the Queenstown one did. Another phew!

We took a cable car up the mountain and looked out over the beautiful Lake Wakatipu before getting the chairlift, scary in its own right I might add, up to the luge track! For just an extra $5 we were able to race down a track on the hillside. I say race as a loose term, because I completely juxtaposed my usual speed freak ways of the road and became an old lady in my luge, braking at every bend, yelping as I sped up, and arriving at the end a full minute or so later than Jo! Of the timing I can't be sure, although the blokes running it did try to convince Jo they'd recorded a time! Needless to say I was a wimpy girl on the track, whilst Jo was a fearless rider who went back for more! At least I smiled at the right time for my photo to make it look like I was fearless too!

Thursday showed more of fearless Jo as she left the van at 7.25 for a full day of kayaking and jetboating, whilst I went back to bed until 10! Although when I did get up, I ran down to the lake and managed 45minutes of running, so not too lazy! The rest of my day was filled with washing, sorting, and a long walk even further around the lake as I watched the steamboat come in. I made I sure I was back at the van before Jo to welcome her home like a good travelmate though: it was strange to have to consider someone else whilst travelling, but pretty cool to hear about someone else's day rather than just mine as I relayed to my diary. Violins? Anyone?

We celebrated our days with a big breakfast and a pint, well 14oz! I had a Tui, a new beer to add to my slow sipping list.

Queenstown was a winner, made better by the clear sky displaying the southern hemisphere's array of bright stars. Lovely.