Day 4 (Queenstown, Te Anau)
5-4-3-2-1 Bungy! Note to anyone wanting to do a bungy jump. Go first... Watching people jump, almost chicken out, peer over the edge makes YOU second guess your leap head first into rocks and shallow water. Also I didn't eat or drink anything that morning, based on the thinking that it ain't coming out if it ain't gone down. The first stop for the day was the Kawarau Bridge jump:- The original bungy in NZ at 43 metres high.
After disembarking the bus and descending down to the information desk I must say the heart started to pump. At the base of the staircase, you can see the jumping platform, along with the viewing deck -which was pretty much used to laugh at people hesitating to jump. (Not exactly what you want to hear while creeping towards the edge, attached by some elastic and a towel to your ankles). Each person gets weighed, which is scribbled on your hand and then gets used by the guys at hooking you up as to the weight they add on. Somehow, despite being about 8th in line to be weighed, I managed to be the first up on the platform. Not out of choice, but perhaps just being oblivious to the slow paces of the people around me.
Some friendly banter ensued with the safety guys, which I remember little of. Word of advice: -Don't mention anything about sheep, accents and keep abreast of the current sporting events. Fortunately the All Blacks won the night before, so there didn't appear to be any secret seething towards any Aussies. You don't want to antagonize anyone involved ensuring your life is safe... You then get the option of going dry, touching the water or getting shoulders dunked. While choosing to get dunked, unfortunately after some examination of the equipment I was informed that it was unlikely that I'd be heavy enough because it was a new bungy cord. Fortunately it didn't dawn on me at the time as to why they replaced the OLD cord!
From there, you inch your way towards the edge penguin style, wave to the crowd egging you on from the viewing platform, smile for the camera and wait for the countdown. Ironically I had a group of Japanese tourists on the sidelines which appeared lifted out of any number of films looking for stereotypical tourist extras (Think Crocodile Dundee). Hint: Don't look down before you jump... and just go. (I missed touching the water by a good couple of metres...)
Its a blur to tell you the truth, but a great rush diving head first 40 odd metres. Then, much like a production line, photos, movies are produced and ready for viewing once you make it back up. Its a slick operation and I'd doubt many people would leave without some sort of memorabilia. (I got all photos, dvds, a pin and patch...) Then, on a whim, we decided to tackle the Nevis...All 134 metres.
I must say all the different activities are really well organised and a small bus ferried us up to the next location which was just as thrilling, ricketing on the side of a mountain on a one way dirt track. This bungy area is suspended on a cable car inbetween a mountain and plateau where a small building is stationed to process videos etc. There are some major things different with this jump aside from it being more than 90 metres higher than the last. 1) Because its suspended on a cable car, you don't really have an option BUT to look down. 2) This was jumped in weight order, so I had to wait a good 1/2 hour before jumping... Combining these factors, nervous reactions begin:- In my case I scratch my head...incessantly. Again you're strapped up, a picture's taken and you inch your way up to the edge. "Look out at the mountain ahead and dive out like you're at a swimming pool" I'm told... 5-4-3-2-1 and I'm off the edge. Fortunately my pants stayed their natural brown colour and an excited rush fills you as it sinks in as to exactly you're doing. It's a shame it's over so quickly, but an experience like no other. The picture left doesn't really give a sense of exactly how high 134 metre is. Believe me it's a long way down and the rush is amazing!
From the dizzying highs to being back in the trusty Corolla for some more driving. This time out to Te Anau. Straight line driving can be monotonous, but with some of the scenic backdrops we drove by, time flew by faster, but the constant mix from the ipod didn't harm the journey either.
Arriving in Te Anau, we were unfortunately informed that a cave glow worm tour was booked solid for that night. Who would've expected that looking at worms would be that popular? We headed out to 'The Ranch' for some local food, where I sample more of NZ's finest beers (Steinlager -which was a standout, Lion Red and Export Gold.) Tuckered out from an eventful day and I dosed off watching Batman Begins on cable...
Day 5 (Milford Sound, Queenstown)
An early morning start once again and it was off to Milford Sound for a scenic cruise out to the mouth of the Tasman Sea. Light rain peppered the drive and it eased as we began our cruise, which turned out to be perfect as it allowed waterfalls to form throughout.
Once back on dry land it was a long drive back through Te Anau and back through to Queenstown.
Once back in Queenstown, we stopped off at a restaurant called Fatz Cat. Ironically, I ordered lamb in the Italian restaurant and was served by an Aussie. A couple more Steinlagers later and we were on our way to see what else was in town. There are 2 casinos in town, and I managed to get $50 up on the blackjack table killing time before we headed into a very touristy attraction: the Ice Bar. With a not-so-subtle partner in Absolut Vodka ($25 entry for 1/2 an hour including 1 drink) we put our 'Absolut' jackets we squeezed into what appeared to be a old meat freezer. The sculptures were well done and, hey, where else can you drink out of a disposable ice glass?
Day 6 (Queenstown, Twizel)
Still time for some more fun at Queenstown. After some much needed sleep it was off in another bus on a dirt track to the Canyon Swing (Pretty much the same as a bungy, but you can leave the platform in any creative way and have the harness attached to your waist instead.) Jump styles vary in 'scariness' where I opted for the pin drop which was equal highest on their rating system. (looking down, hands behind the back) Honestly after the Nevis this seemed quite tame, (60m freefall) however it still got the heart pumping with many others opting for varied and repeat 'swings' such as the tumbling chair. Where do these nuts come up with these crazy ideas?
What's left to do? Next on the agenda was the Shotover Jet which is a custom built jet boat that cruises around at high speeds. Walking into information area, the walls are littered with both A and B grade celebrities that have completed the ride. What's excellent again is the detailed knowledge of the people involved on the history and environment of their surrounds. (I guess that's expected, but in any case some of the facts were impressive...)
The boats only need 6 inches of water to operate and you can hear the rocks hit the bottom of the boat as you roar through the narrow passes which are specifically reserved for these boats. Jagged rocks are literally close enough to touch, and the ease in which the drivers navigate through is amazing. I don't care how many times you do something, to get within a couple of hands of a wall in a boat is impressive, all the while the boat's on-board system beeps intermittently to warn of proximity.
360 degree spins occur without warning towards the end, which finishes in being wet and extremely satisfied. Unfortunately it was then time to say goodbye to Queenstown and to head off to Twizel.
Upon arrival, to fill in time, we ventured out to the local golf course which was closed. Fortunately with no-one around, we were able to throw our hand at some ice golf with mixed success. Ending another busy day were more than a few of NZ's finest ales.
Day 7 (Christchurch, Hanmer Springs)
Getting back to Christchurch was a pretty boring drive, and it probably didn't help that we left at 5am to try and get a full day there... We arrived, and found that nothing satisfies more than a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages and anything else detrimental to the heart. Without a plan for the day, we decided to venture out to a cookie factory 'Maker of the world's biggest cookie' for some sustenance while stopping off at wineries for some taste testing. Finally with hours to kill we decided to venture out to Hanmer Springs, which was a little town a bit out of Christchurch and try our hand out at quad biking. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of the trip, driving through cow patties these little machines packed a lot of punch. Also, as a kid, you'd always want to ride your bike or run through puddles and mud, and in these little babies it was an experience that took you back to those carefree days.
The last night ended a 'wee bit' muddy and with a satisfying dinner at the Lobster Club. Damn lobster's nice, but it just doesn't fill you up.... We decided to plow through to the next morning as sleeping seemed pointless when we had to get to the airport by 4am. I wandered the streets aimlessly for a couple of hours, got lost a few times and accidently did some loops around the city before navigating it back to the hotel. I knew I should've used the M&Ms to track my steps... I stayed awake long enough to see the demonstration of where the exits were on the plane before dozing and probably snoring through to the dawn of day 8 and home...
I found out recently that I missed out what would've been the perfect gig. Sarah Blasko was supporting Martha Wainwright in the states...
