New Zealand - Amazing Awesome Adventure

Greetings all. A lot has happened since I Iast wrote so I thought I would bring you all up to date on our latest adventures. Yes, you got it, we have been to New Zealand for a 2 week ski trip. Well what can I say about NZ that hasn't been said before? So here goes - Skiing in NZ Rhossie style.

We had an early start getting up at 4am to catch a plane from Melbourne Airport direct to Queenstown. No problems there and we left on time at 6.40am expecting to arrive in Queenstown around 11.30. Almost there and the pilot announces they have to land in Christchurch as there was a problem with the plane (not affecting the flying) and it needed to be fixed before we could go on to our original destination of Queenstown. It was a glorious day and so the trip into Christchurch over the mountains was just spectacular (a word you will hear many more times). 90 mins later the fuel pump had been replaced and we were on our way again. The short trip from Christchurch to Queenstown was just as visually spectacular and I was to learn just what we were going to be looking at and admiring for the next 2 weeks.

Once on the ground in Queenstown we caught up with our partners in Ski's, Marg & Pete O. Peter Miller (sorry, but awesome is a neccessity sometimes) & Bett & BB. I thought we had had an early start but they had left at midnight and just arrived before us (4.00pmish). Still it was great to see each other again and we headed off to get cars and find our home for the next 2 weeks. Cranbury Court Apartments in Queenstown. Excellent place to stay.

I am sure that Queenstown airport must have the most spectacular views in all the world. No matter which window (all large) you look out of you see snow capped mountain ranges, probably the most amazing is the Remarkables with it's road to the top all too visible. The drive to our accomodation along Lake Wakatipu was equally beautiful and was a sight we never tired off.

Once checked in we all unpacked and settled in, then after a shopping trip to fill the cupboards & fridges, we reconvened for a drink and a catch up chat before heading off for a wander into town to find some dinner. Cooking was not an option that night. A little Thai place did the job and after a yummy dinner we headed home for a well needed sleep.

Waking up the next morning to see snow covered mountain peaks from the window reminded us of why we were there and at that point excitement (or was it terror) set in and we couldn't wait to get out and about. It had snowed overnight on the mountains and was a very chilly -2 in Queenstown (well it has to be cold to get snow). The snow reports did not sound too good for the day so we thought we would start off with a day of familiarisation. We headed off into town and orgainsed all our ski hire and lessons for the week. Had a really good look around Queenstown, never ceasing to marvel at the constant view of The Remarkables, Coronet Peak & Lake Wakaitpu. We then hopped in the cars and drove over to Arrowtown for a look and had an excellent lunch in a little Pub. A walk through the town makes me wonder does Arrowtown have a link with the Da Vinci Code, look what I found in one arcade.


From there we drove up to Coronet Peak to have a look at what we had in store for the next 2 weeks. The snow, people everywhere on ski's & boards, people just watching others and the views - Amazing. On the way up we had stopped at Arthurs Point to see the Jet Boats in action on the Shotover River - Adventure and by now we were all ready for the ride of our lives - Skiing tomorrow.

A rest & a drink before we had dinner in town at Blowfish (owner Mark is a friends son), still not too sure about the Muttonbird but the fish was wonderful. Home to bed to dream of adventure the following day.

As 2 weeks is far too much for one episode this will be a work in progress, so until next time..........