Queenstown...finally, what we thought NZ would be!

Arrived in Queenstown on Valentine's Day....very much a resort town like Lake Tahoe. We found a decent hostel to stay in...they really are the way to go for keeping on a budget (but ugh...the towels STINK...mildew? I'm embarrassed to say I handed mine back in, only to find that they all smell that bad. I felt like such a girl.)
















We asked the girl at the hostel for a dinner hike spot...Dean and I met 3 years ago on Valentine's Day...so what better way to spend it then hiking with a little wine, cheese, olives, chocolate...and here is the view

The next day we decided to go on a jet boat ride in Skipper Canyon....we heard that the bus ride through the canyon was beautiful. Little did we know...the bus ride was more exciting and dangerous then the actual jet boat! We were on the edge of a cliff for about an hour. I swear, if one of us had sneezed, or leaned to the right we would have tipped over the edge.

The best part was when we came around a blind corner to find a bus coming towards us...lot's of backing up and maneuvering around with holding of breaths....

We survived, and did finally get in the jet boat. GREAT ride. Reminded me of the jet boats on the Willamette (free ride down the river after our dragon boat race!) however, on CRACK. We did 360 degree turns, and the driver skirted by rocks and cliffs inches from your face. I think his greatest joy was making people scream...and we did.

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I dedicate this photo to my brother-in-law Scott...a big Lord of the Rings fan (he'll understand when I "geek" out for a while). This is the exact spot in the river in the first movie, where Aragorn and Arwen (I think..) are being chased, and a huge "horse" wave sweeps through the canyon and wipes out the bad guys....great scene.

After the jet boat ride they took us to what used to be a bungy site. We walked out onto the bridge and this would be your view if you decided to jump! Yikes!

You can see the bridge in the background.....

Finally! Sun and blue skies in Queenstown. We walked down to the lake for gelato. This is a picture of the Remarkables....they are stunning. Now...on to the Routeburn Track!!!!!