Queenstown and around.

We have been a week in Queenstown – the adrenaline capital of NZ.  Not really our scene as the town is characterised by adventure activities – at exorbitant prices- and skiing but some totally awesome mountains around.  The receptionist at the time share is a welsh woman who moved over here 10 years ago to be with son and daughter at the age of 63.  She hasn’t lost her accent.

A highlight was the visit to Arrowtown – a small gold mining town that dates back to the 1860’s.  It had a Chinese community that settled there from Australia in the hope of getting rich.  These immigrants were at first welcomed then were somewhat persecuted later.  They worked hard hoping to send money back to family.  Steve tried his hand at gold panning at the Gold Mining centre; I think he was concerned his pension may not keep said wife in the manner to which she would like to become accustomed!!  He didn’t find any needless to say.  

An old cottage in Arrowtown

The Chinese living quarters in Gold mining days

Steve tries to up the pension!!

We borrowed bikes from the place we are staying and despite dodgy steering on mine managed a 10 mile bike ride around the Kelvin Heights peninsula near us.  Some beautiful houses en route. I WANT ONE!  More gold panning needed.

We went on the tourist trek up on the Gondola for views over Queenstown.  They were bungy jumping off the platform at the top.  I still don’t get that!!  Why would anyone want to do it??  I’m with Nick Easter who chickened out.

On our last day we drove to a remote settlement ,which until 1960’s could only be reached by boat: Glenorchy. It was an absolutely beautiful day and the views of the mountains were spectacular.  Intrepid tourists in victorian times would make the journey up on boats and then on upwards into the mountains on charabancs . Gutsy lot in those days!

Planking NZ style!!

Off to see some glaciers tomorrow.