Friday, August 20, 2004
Adrenaline Junkies?
Hi all
I'm still buzzed from that tandem skydive. Yes, the urge to fly has been with me for years - ever since seeing John Noakes do a skydive on Blue Peter when I was about 8! We got the photos and videos yesterday, and the very nice girl in the shop let us sit in their video room and watch it. Be prepared to be bored by us showing it when we get home. Me, Louise and a guy called Dave were the jumpers on our plane, and we each had our own camera-person. The video features all three of us - I bet Dave will be delighted with video footage of two girls he doesn't know! I know Lou was terrified, so she did really well to smile for the camera (or was it a grimace??) while I waved my arms around and whoooped like an idiot for the whole time! Just a brilliant experience, and the video is great.
So, how to top that? Well we started the day with a trip up the Gondola for more fabulous views of Queenstown. Apart from one rainy/snowy day in Christchurch, we have been so lucky. Queenstown could hardly be more beautiful - snow-capped mountains, blue skies...
The Skyline Gondola also had those fab luges that I loved so much in Rotorua, so we had to get Ann on one. The luges aren't quite as good here in Queenstown - the runs are much shorter, but we still had fun.
For the afternoon, Lou and I decided to go Jet Boating. The Shotover Jet Boats zoom up and down this spectacular river canyon, doing 360 degree turns and swerving towards rocks etc. It was fun - although as Louise was by the side of the boat, she got a bit wet! If you click on that link to the jet boats and click on "Daily Photos" on the top right, you might be able to see photos of us on their web site. Choose August 19th. They said the pics would be up about lunchtime today - I'm too early to see them. There will probably be loads of pictures, but we went about 2.30pm if that helps at all, and were in the back row.
Went out for a nice meal last night, then to Pog Mahones (!) for a drink or three. Must have had a bit too much as we agreed to let Louise paint our nails! My fingernails are now a rather alarming shade of metallic purple, while Ann's red toenails should shock the dogs when she gets home!
Today is our last full day in Queenstown, and New Zealand! We are all doing our own things. I'm feeding my addiction for Maori cultural concerts by going to my 4th this afternoon, Louise has booked up for Tandem Hang Gliding - what a daredevil she is!!
I have really loved our time in New Zealand, it's a fabulous place, and the south island really is gorgeous. I'm definintely coming back here one day.
Thanks so much to all the people commenting or trying to comment. By the way, you can catch up on our adventures by clicking on "Archives" on the left and see all the entries for July or August etc. Don't forget to click on any of the links to find out more.
Emma, have a great day on Saturday! Sharon, happy birthday.
I'm still buzzed from that tandem skydive. Yes, the urge to fly has been with me for years - ever since seeing John Noakes do a skydive on Blue Peter when I was about 8! We got the photos and videos yesterday, and the very nice girl in the shop let us sit in their video room and watch it. Be prepared to be bored by us showing it when we get home. Me, Louise and a guy called Dave were the jumpers on our plane, and we each had our own camera-person. The video features all three of us - I bet Dave will be delighted with video footage of two girls he doesn't know! I know Lou was terrified, so she did really well to smile for the camera (or was it a grimace??) while I waved my arms around and whoooped like an idiot for the whole time! Just a brilliant experience, and the video is great.
So, how to top that? Well we started the day with a trip up the Gondola for more fabulous views of Queenstown. Apart from one rainy/snowy day in Christchurch, we have been so lucky. Queenstown could hardly be more beautiful - snow-capped mountains, blue skies...
The Skyline Gondola also had those fab luges that I loved so much in Rotorua, so we had to get Ann on one. The luges aren't quite as good here in Queenstown - the runs are much shorter, but we still had fun.
For the afternoon, Lou and I decided to go Jet Boating. The Shotover Jet Boats zoom up and down this spectacular river canyon, doing 360 degree turns and swerving towards rocks etc. It was fun - although as Louise was by the side of the boat, she got a bit wet! If you click on that link to the jet boats and click on "Daily Photos" on the top right, you might be able to see photos of us on their web site. Choose August 19th. They said the pics would be up about lunchtime today - I'm too early to see them. There will probably be loads of pictures, but we went about 2.30pm if that helps at all, and were in the back row.
Went out for a nice meal last night, then to Pog Mahones (!) for a drink or three. Must have had a bit too much as we agreed to let Louise paint our nails! My fingernails are now a rather alarming shade of metallic purple, while Ann's red toenails should shock the dogs when she gets home!
Today is our last full day in Queenstown, and New Zealand! We are all doing our own things. I'm feeding my addiction for Maori cultural concerts by going to my 4th this afternoon, Louise has booked up for Tandem Hang Gliding - what a daredevil she is!!
I have really loved our time in New Zealand, it's a fabulous place, and the south island really is gorgeous. I'm definintely coming back here one day.
Thanks so much to all the people commenting or trying to comment. By the way, you can catch up on our adventures by clicking on "Archives" on the left and see all the entries for July or August etc. Don't forget to click on any of the links to find out more.
Emma, have a great day on Saturday! Sharon, happy birthday.
