Our last few days on the South Island – and in New Zealand – was spent back in Queenstown, and we took advantage of the more sporty activities this go around. We were treated to front row seats on Hamish’s Jet boat. These boats literally hydroplane on as little as a few inches of water, and go VERY fast. The drivers delight in pulling 360’s and kicking up loads of wake water in the process, and coming as close as possible to the shore, bridge pilons, and low-hanging trees to get passenger adrenaline pumping. Hamish did a great job!
One of the evenings we did a more subdued activity – we cruised on a 1912 steamboat across the lake to a gorgeous homestead for dinner. There were about 300 people on this trip and even with feeding the lot the food was lovely. By happenstance we sat down next to another American couple and ended up spending the evening chatting with them. The world works in strange ways – it turned out that he is undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer in a clinical trial…thank goodness he is doing well…but what were the chances that with the work we do, and what experience we have with a cancer journey, that we’d end up connecting this way?
On our very last day in Queenstown (and in New Zealand) we took the gondola ride up to the very best vantage point to see all of Queenstown and its majestic surroundings. It is quite breathtaking and really gives one a sense of the tremendous expanse of open space and grandeur that is the South Island.
See you in Australia!
Esther
Living La Vida Loca 
Loved the blogs about your journey, Esther! My friend Steve and I did a very similar trip to yours in 1990; the scenery there is breathtaking. So glad you were able to experience the country’s beauty-may it always be so.
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