- Planning and preparing for our epic vacation to New Zealand and the Maldives
- Flying to New Zealand via Honolulu, visiting Auckland and Devonport
- Waitomo Caves and Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Taupo, Waikite Thermal Pools, to Christchurch
- Mt. Cook National Park
- AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Jump, K-Jet boating, hanging out in Queenstown
- Day 1 of Routeburn Track 3-day luxury guided walk
- Day 2 of Routeburn Track 3-day luxury guided walk
- Day 3 of Routeburn Track 3-day luxury guided walk
- Arrowtown, Wanaka, Mount Roy Track
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Tranz Alpine train Greymouth to Christchurch, then to Singapore
- From Singapore to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
- Day 1 and 2 at the Conrad Maldives: beach villa, overwater spa, Atoll Market, snorkeling
- Day 3 at the Conrad Maldives: water villa, diving with manta rays, meeting new friends
- Day 4 and 5 at the Conrad Maldives: Vilu, Sunset Grill, reef diving
- Day 6 and 7 at the Conrad Maldives: whale sharks, Ithaa, snorkeling
- Returning from the Maldives via Singapore
- 10 hour layover in Seoul and landing safely in SFO
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As we drove away from Mount Cook National Park on Monday afternoon, the sun started to peek out from the clouds. We stopped at the same viewpoint as when we were coming in; what a difference the sunshine makes to the lake water color! (earlier picture here)
It took around three hours to drive to Queenstown and reach our accommodation, the Blue Peaks Lodge. We got our little bottle of milk, but only paid wi-fi available. Good thing we had a SIM card with data that our devices can tether to.
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It was a leisurely night as we were tired from the wet hike this morning and the drive. Kaleb did venture outside in the evening to grab some wine and walk around the town. The bars were full of revelers as it was St. Patrick's Day. Seems any day that can be celebrated with alcoholic libations can be observed worldwide!
On Tuesday, we headed out to Kawarau Bridge for Kaleb's 11am booking with the original bungy jump company, AJ Hackett. I wasn't participating myself, just there to take pictures and video of his courageous (some say, crazy) experience. We did buy the pics and vids from the company as well.
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| Kaleb is next |
My video of Kaleb's jump (2:46 length): (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
The professional photos and videos...
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| wave bye-bye to the camera |
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2:01 company video: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
Kaleb was glad to try it once, but he said he didn't need to do it again. Especially not for $180.
We returned back to the motel to drop off the car, then walked into town through the Queenstown Gardens.
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The weather was perfect for a walk along the lake.
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I caught video of the jet boat that we were going to ride this afternoon (0:16): (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
We had lunch right on the main town pier, at Prime restaurant. They served Bluff oysters there, but they can't beat the ones we ate at Depot in Auckland.
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| not as fresh as the ones we had in Auckland |
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| local beverages |
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| salt and pepper squid salad |
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| fish and chips |
16-second clip of a musician performing while we were eating lunch: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
We finished lunch just in time for our 2pm reservation at K-Jet; the dock was just across from the restaurant. I bought the tickets online when we were in Christchurch. This jet boat company was recommended on TripAdvisor, as well as Shotover Jet. K-Jet was more convenient for us as it was located in the heart of town.
There were about twelve of us and we were given life jackets as well as rain ponchos to wear just in case. After boarding the boat, our captain explained to us what to expect as well as show us the hand sign warning us that he was going to spin the boat (at a fast speed!) and that we had to hold onto the safety rails. We then headed out onto the lake very fast and not too long afterwards, we experienced our first 360 degree spin...whew! The captain made a detour to pick up a few Japanese-speaking passengers at another marina. I don't recall him repeating the rules and signs to them...most likely their translator already gave them the information.
We continued our journey from the lake to Shotover River. Lots of thrills indeed! It was very cute to hear the Japanese tourists scream and speak animatedly after each "near-miss" of a river bank or tree.
19-second video of a "near-miss": (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
25-second clip of part of the ride: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
We did several 360 spins in the jetboat. I didn't want to lose my camera so no video.
The ride ended too quickly. We dropped off the Japanese tourists, then the boat docked at the main pier and everyone got off. We were invited to purchase pictures as well as experience the underwater observatory, which sounded impressive, but it was pretty much a glass window with a view of the lake's occupants.
26-second clip of the view out the glass window: (click here if you cannot see the preview below)
Kaleb and I declined to buy pictures, then we headed out towards town to buy souvenirs. We found a store selling reasonably priced $10 trinkets like paua shell necklaces (looks like opal) and polished paua half-shells. At 3:45pm, we headed over to the Ultimate Hikes Centre for a briefing for our three-day guided walk on the Routeburn Track, starting early tomorrow morning. We almost forgot about the meeting...when I remembered to check the time, we happened to be just a block away from the building! Kaleb and I filled out some forms, then waited for a bit for everyone else to show up. We were ushered into a conference room where a representative showed a Powerpoint presentation on what to expect on the hike and what we should bring. Since the food and lodging were all included, there wasn't a whole lot we needed to pack. Backpacks and rain ponchos were supplied as well, but Kaleb and I brought our own. The group was mostly on the older side (50+), with a few people our age.
For dinner, we went to Eichardt's Bar. I had done some research earlier to find places to eat and this was one of the choices. Other spots I had considered were Botswana Butchery (lots of meat and was slightly dressy) and Fishbone (didn't look open at the time). It was the perfect amount of food.
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| non-alcoholic mule |
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| more Bluff oysters |
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| lamb ribs and "hare and duck" rillettes |
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| "legendary" seafood chowder |
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| calamari in squid-ink tempura batter |
We ended dinner without dessert, choosing instead to walk along the lakeshore to find something delectable amongst the many businesses lining the waterfront. Armed with ice cream from Chocolates Patagonia, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the lake.
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| we have room for this? |
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| beautiful Queenstown sunset |
When we returned to our motel, we packed for the hike, then stored our luggage with reception as their office wouldn't be open at 6am. (we would be back to the same motel after our hike) We also left our rental car keys there for Europcar to pick up the next day.
Tomorrow, we meet at the Ultimate Hikes Center at 6:15am (ugh!) to start our three-day hike on the Routeburn Track! Stay tuned...
