On our first full day in Queenstown we had an easy start to the day and wandered over the peninsula and through town. Then, in the afternoon, we booked ourselves on the Shotover jet boat. This was an amazing experience, travelling at about 80km per hour along a very narrow river canyon and over rapids. We were lucky enough to be sitting right at the front of the jet next to the driver. Also every now and then he would perform a 360 degree spin which would almost throw you out of your seat. We returned to dry land after half an hour and picked up our photos and a cd rom of a 2 min recording while in the boat... Well we were at the front...

In the afternoon after getting back to the campsite we went for a run and then down to town to sample a few of the bars... After a few drinks and food we stumbled across a bar called "cowboys" which was directly below a backpackers accommodation (the closest we have come to one yet). The bar seats were saddles and there was even a rodeo bucking bronco for the adventurous.. I was tempted but after food and drink I thought it could get messy. Still we enjoyed other people making a fool of themselves. The other main attraction was the cheap cost of the round...

On the next day in QT we had an early start for our full day coach tour to Milford Sound (coach- cruise- coach). Having endured one of our coldest nights yet in the motorhome we stood outside waiting for the coach and noticed the snow on the mountain tops. The coach trip took us through some snow covered areas and stopped more frequently as we got close to Milford Sound so we could take pictures of the stunning mountain views. Just before we got there the driver was offering the options of a flight back in a plane or helicopter for an additional cost. As the day was sunny and clear we enquired about the helicopter ride back but we needed another two people to opt in as there was a minimum of four required. No one else from our coach was interested so we had to wait until after the cruise and see if anyone else from the other coach trips had taken up the option...

The cruise was great. As soon as we boarded we headed straight to the front of the boat and admired the sheer cliff faces either side as we headed out to the mouth of the fjord. Apparently the blue sky and sun were a bonus as Milford Sound gets s very high percentage of rainy days. On the way back we slowed down to look at some seals basking on the rocks. Then just as we pulled away a few bottle nosed dolphins swam close to the boat, briefly flashing there fins out of the water and then disappearing below. Cool.

Upon returning we eagerly approached the driver of our coach to find out if he had found another two people to join us and he gave us the thumbs up. We could not help feeling a little bit smug when on the coach back he stopped at the airport to drop us off. Another selling point was that as well as stopping on a glacier on the way it would only take an hour to return to QT instead of the 5 hour coach trip! Anyway, we boarded the 6 seated helicopter and took off into the sky heading towards the fjords first for a closer view. We then started climbing and felt out stomachs turn every time we passed over a mountain ledge to watch the ground dramatically slope away. The landing on the glacier was smooth and once out the camera and video camera were almost permanently clicking. In all directions you could see an amazing snow and ice landscape with mountain ranges miles away being visible.

After the glacier, we continued on our way to QT and our pilot surprised us by yelling "I've lost control" and tilting the helicopter on it's side whilst dropping altitude dramatically. We all screamed simultaneously with surprise but what an adrenalin rush!!

That evening, after such an amazing day we headed into town and had yet another great meal in the mexican restaurant, Sombreros-fantastic fajitas and enchiladas...