Surprising New Zealand

 23B Larch Hill Place (Airbnb), Queenstown, NZ

Mark and I on the cable car heading up to do the luge rides

We had a very brief week back at work, from Tuesday to Friday. Drinks on Friday after work, followed by dinner organised by Gillian Yeo. I was then meant to join the crew for a fringe show but was not really ready for our trip to NZ so dipped out after dinner to go home and pack.

Dinner with Gill and friends at Sauma

Then it was a (delayed) flight to Brisbane with a plane full of rugby players, a night in a hotel at the Brisbane airport, and then reasonably early start for our flight to Queenstown. We arrived, airport exit and car pick up wassmooth - things seem very organised here. We found our airbnb which is a couple of k's outside the town centre but has the most amazing views of the lake and mountains - looking at them right now!

Our airbnb with its fab views from the loungeroom

I am stunned by how beautiful Queenstown is. Lovely blue lakes surrounded by mountains and most striking, clouds just wafting between the peaks. It is meant to be summer but its quite cold (around 12 degrees or o) although flashes of sunshine too, and amazing light.  

After settling in to our airbnb, we went out for a walk and had a casual peruvian dinner. Queenstown was so lively for a Sunday evening- we were very surprised! Not at all like Perth.

Walking around the city centre

the Lake 

Great little latin american restaurant where we consumed a lot of meat!

And then today, Monday, after a decent sleep in, we had a fun day. Apart from its beauty, the thing about Queenstown is there is so much to do! I got exceptionally excited about doing a helicopter tour where you land on and walk through glaciers... or paragliding, an e-bike wine tour, or some zip lines... Luckily, perhaps, these things do not excite Mark so our activity choices were a bit more subdued. 

First we caught the gondala's up to the top of the mountain, stunning views all the way. Then we did three 'luge' rides - which is when you sit on a small cart-like thing and launch yourself down hill on a racing-track. I did the same thing from the top of the Great Wall of China to the bottom last year. It was fun! Even Mark did three trips :-)

on the Gondola

Views from the gondola

More views

Mark quite disturbed by the structures holding up the mountains....

Next up we visited the Kiwi Wildpark which is where there are all sorts of endangered birds. The highlight of course was the Kiwi bird- no photos because we had to look at it in the dark as its nocturnal. They are minature emu-like things with long beaks - sort of cute in an ugly-smelly sort of way. We also saw the Kea and the Kaka birds which are quite impressive. Good inspiration for my glass! Although it was expensive for what it was, I liked the fact our fees are helping to conserve the birds, and also enjoyed experiencing lovely trees and wildlife right in the middle of the city.

The kea. You cant see it but it has amazing red under the wings

A very cool tree

An endangered bird I have forgotten the name of

After this, we came back for a brief rest. I managed to check in to a "first table" - which is when you get an early table at a restaurant and so get the food half price. We went to Coco Cabana back in the centre. Very good food and the half price deal was pretty good. Keen to try it again but if you book more in advance I think you can lock in better restaurants. 

Tomorrow we head off to "the Shed", which is an airbnb near Dunedin owned by Phil and Liz, bookclub friends. All of bookclub is already there!