After a long night's rest in Haast, at another awesome B&B (with an awesome Xmas tree-- balloons anyone?), we hit the road again heading to our Christmas location in Queenstown. We have decided that we are bringing fabulous weather to wherever we go-- it rained a bit in the morning in Haast, but we chased it away and headed into the Otago valley and the clouds broke and it is perfect. It's actually even a bit too warm and the sun is brutal down here. We strolled for a bit and we're dealing with some sunburns despite SPF 20 sunblock.
As soon as we made it in to town, we headed out. It's Christmas Eve, so we were a little worried that we should try to grab food before things close, but this place is swinging. It's such a touristy place and there are so many people willing to work here for extra $$ for the holidays (and many shop workers here are foreigners, as well) so the stores and restaurants were essentially all open when we headed back to the hotel past 8pm. So no problems with dinner or any tourist things we wanted to do today.
We had a great lunch at a brewery, then we went straight to the gondolas that take you up a steep mountain. The view was very obviously breathtaking, you can see for yourself. Then we did pretty much the funnest thing we've ever done and did the luge from the top of the mountain where the Skyline Gondola operates. We did it 3 times each-- it's hard to describe, but it's like a go-kart sped that you sit in and ride down a hill with steep embankments. Anyway, it was AWESOME. Can't wait to show pictures. Think we may do it again tomorrow.
Then, we took another wander through town and found ourselves in front of the Minus 5 bar, which is a bar made completely of ice. Chairs, tables, ice sculptures, and even your glass are made of ice and the room is -5 degrees C. You got gloves and parkas to go in and you have a drink. It was fun... and weird.
We will try to post again, but not sure when. Tomorrow we're going to have a bit of a rest day for Christmas. Maybe a bike and run... or maybe just drinking champagne. Then, on to Mt. Cook and Twizel. After that, we're leaving NZ, which is sad, but we're really excited to see Adelaide and hang with the Ormsbys!
Merry Christmas to all! Love and miss you.
2 comments:
Hi, it's Christmas Eve afternoon and I'm still in PJ's. Your trip sounds so exceptional. Can't wait to talk with you in about six hours.
Love,
Dad
Mewrry Christmas guys, how we miss you! Didnt think I would get so maudlin with you not here but alas I am, actually we all are. But we are so happy that you guys are having such a great time. Brendan, your mom and grandma were here yesterday doing tamales and having a great time, we had carnitas for lunch and good salsa. We have a great photo of us all and if I knew how to get it on the web, you would be able to see us all, oh well. Anyway, much love and we miss you, momma D and fam.
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