Queenstown (Part I & II)

Before we talk about our adventures, let me first tell you that this is a combined post of our 2 (!) visits to Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of NZ. This is because the first time, we didn't have the time to have adventures as we were using this nice little town as a "hub" towards te Anau and the Milford Sounds (or better yet, Fiord). Nor did we take pictures (shot some video footage though) but we did put some time and effort into updating this website (see "Greetings from Queenstown" post).

However, when coming back from Te Anau, we passed Queenstown again to take care of some unfinished business. The first picture is taken from the lookout over Queenstown. Being the cheap bastards that we are, we decided to hike up to the lookout, which, according to the Lonely Planet, would only take 30 odd minutes or so. Well, the lookout company changed the route, so now it took more than an hour to get up there along a VERY steep unpaved road. Covered in sweat and with calves the size of Parma-hams, we got to the lookout and indeed had a nice view (still, we took the cable cart down), especially from the bungy jumping wacko's that were jumping into the valley. For the crazies among you, go to QT when you want to jump off stuff.

We, however, decided not to jump but rather to go rafting down a class IV whitewater river with the Queenstown rafting company. Oddly enough, the drive to the river was even more adreline-pumping and butcheek-squeezing than the actual raft experience. We had to go up one of the mountains along a road where: (A) there was only a dirt road of approximately 2 mtrs wide (and there were several 90 degree turns, landslides, previous carwrecks, etc); (B) no rental cars were allowed (C) no caravans (D) no heavy vehicles; and (E) no trailers. And guess what we had: A fullly loaded 1979 bus with a large trailer carrying all the rafting boats as well. We have never seen a bus being "fogged up" that quickly nor so many sweaty and silent teenagers.

After thanking God and all the other spirits that we arrived in one piece, we still had to actually go rafting. There was a good briefing and we got a girl as our team captain. Heading along the river, the 7 of us encountered some nice rapids after we learnt the basics (and Sois had learned the difference between left and right yet again) of whitewater rafting. Nobody fell out, but of course Sois had to jump in one time to feel how cold the water was and he came to the conclusion that he'd rather stay in the boot. Hereunder, you'll find a very short clip of us going to the final rapids (bonus points for those who can pinpoint the both of us).



It was G-R-E-A-T and we were glad we did this instead of jumping off stuff with those rubbers on your feet. Finally, nature is calling again so look out for the next post on the Milford Sounds. May the force be with you! Sayonara!