This week was a bit more social by New Zealand standards but Queenstown didn't really live up to its reputation as party central and I was left feeling slightly disappointed. Having said that I did end up at a really friendly backpackers and met some really nice people to chat to on the nights that I did stay in which were far too many for my liking!
On Monday I left clique Wanaka and headed over the hills to Queenstown. Ralph, Alwin's best mate from his navy days, was there to meet me at the bus stop and dropped me off at Southern Laughter. I went for a wander around town and within the first half an hour, due to the extreme cold, had invested in a hat: a nice All Blacks number.
On Tuesday I went out for a fairly big night with Jesus and his disciples plus Gary and met up with James and Gavin who were part of the original Airlie No Beach Boys. Gavin and Laura from Wanaka also popped along for a drink or two.
At 07:00 on Wednesday I was on the bus to Milford Sound despite going ot bed at 02:00. The sunshine came out and Milford was exquisite. All the snow capped mountains were in view and I couldn't have had a better day for the two hour cruise around the fjords. It was a long day and so after naps on the bus, I headed out with Gary for a quiet drink away from the maurauding backpackers.
On Friday I was up at the crack of dawn again and headed up Coronet Peak for my first ever attempt of snowboarding. I had a fantastic day and loved every minute of being strapped onto my snowboard and hurtling down hills. By the end of the day I could go backwards and managed to do about five 180 degree turns. Not bad for a beginner until during one rather ill calculated turn I fell on my ample derriere, bit my lip and lost my hat and goggles in the ensuing seconds. How I laughed. That night I was full of beans after my day on the slopes and went to meet Ralph. Alwin never told me that he runs a cocktail bar and so it turned into a bit of a messy night but great fun all the same.
By Saturday I was a broken lady: body and brain. Snowboarding as expected proved that it requires you to use muscles I never knew existed and that coupled with bruised knees made me a limping wreck. I met up with Ralph and his friends to watch the All Blacks loose against Australia and then had to deal with depressed Kiwis who all went home early. I was tucked up in bed sober on Saturday night at 01:00 and there was me thinking Queenstown was party ville.
Sunday was a sedate affair: walks around Queenstown and watching films at home with fellow backpackers. I couldn't find anyone to hold my hand and laugh at me on the scary Gondola and so had to miss out on a birds eye view of Queenstown.
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