Our first full day in Queenstown, Ryan and I drove an hour outside the city to horseback ride. After the ride, I asked Ryan if he thinks horses can talk. As the horses were lined up waiting for their assigned riders I’m pretty sure mine was whimpering
“Please not the big girl. Not the big girl!…..."
"DANG it!”
I only say that because while all the other horses willingly sauntered over to their rightful rider, mine pretty much looked like this guy.
“Please not the big girl. Not the big girl!…..."
"DANG it!”
I only say that because while all the other horses willingly sauntered over to their rightful rider, mine pretty much looked like this guy.
Oh Keg….we eventually bonded, didn’t we? I think we connected once you realized I sympathized with your irresistible desire to snack. You held strong during our ride, and for that I am proud.
Keg and I had a wonderful two and a half ride through Queenstown countryside. Ryan and Enos had an um….survivable ride. Poor Ryan strained his back pulling one of our luggage pieces out of the back of the car, so his ride was a bit unbearable. I began calling us Brains and Brawn. There had to be some explanation to all nearby witnesses when I was the one carrying the heavy luggage.
Brains was a trooper though and tried his best to enjoy the horseback ride as best as possible. How could he not??? The countryside was beautiful. We crossed many rivers while traveling through Paradise on the Rees (an area used for many films…including the Lord of the Ring movies).
Keg and I had a wonderful two and a half ride through Queenstown countryside. Ryan and Enos had an um….survivable ride. Poor Ryan strained his back pulling one of our luggage pieces out of the back of the car, so his ride was a bit unbearable. I began calling us Brains and Brawn. There had to be some explanation to all nearby witnesses when I was the one carrying the heavy luggage.
Brains was a trooper though and tried his best to enjoy the horseback ride as best as possible. How could he not??? The countryside was beautiful. We crossed many rivers while traveling through Paradise on the Rees (an area used for many films…including the Lord of the Ring movies).
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I loved our horseback riding experience. It was the quintessential New Zealand experience I was hoping for.
We loved Queenstown!!! It was somewhat like Whistler with a ski resort feel. Tons of awesome restaurants and shops with mountains on one side and water on the other. We rode the gondola up one mountain and took the luge down. Fun!! We purchased the picture posted of us on the gondola, but I wish we would have purchased the last picture in which Ryan pretended to slap my face. Hilarious!
We loved Queenstown!!! It was somewhat like Whistler with a ski resort feel. Tons of awesome restaurants and shops with mountains on one side and water on the other. We rode the gondola up one mountain and took the luge down. Fun!! We purchased the picture posted of us on the gondola, but I wish we would have purchased the last picture in which Ryan pretended to slap my face. Hilarious!
The last stop before leaving Queenstown was to visit the Kiwi and bird sanctuary. Normally, this wouldn’t be my thing, but it actually was quite fun. Birds dive bombing my head gives me the fear that spiders do for most people. I say this, but it was I who woke my husband up from a very sound sleep our last night in New Zealand. I was screaming “Oh my God! Oh my God!” while throwing off all the bedding onto the floor. I had rolled over in my sleep and saw a spider the size of my hand dropping down from the ceiling onto the comforter. Thank God it was only a dream. :) Luckily he still loves me and just needed a little time the next morning before exchanging pleasantries.
We flew out of Queenstown and stayed one day in Christchurch. The one feeling I had from visiting Christchurch is….depressed. Four years ago two earthquakes destroyed this city. Where there were beautiful, historical old buildings now lay a barren lot. If not a bare lot, there are huge vacant buildings just waiting to be leveled. The city felt a little like a ghost town or what may have been the beginning of an episode from the Walking Dead. (Okay….slight exaggeration…but it was pretty sad.) After the earthquake they suffered over 300 aftershocks in the following year. One in 10 houses we saw had major construction going on or was vacated. I guess it is a HUGE problem because people are living in the garages or not living in their houses at all because the houses have been deemed unsafe. Home owners are paying on their mortgages, not living in them and still waiting for repairs. IF you are in construction and want a work visa…Christchurch may just be the market for you. They estimate it will take 50-100 years for the economy to recover. It was so sad and devastating, but I’m glad we at least stopped over for a bit. It was pretty remarkable to see.
We flew out of Queenstown and stayed one day in Christchurch. The one feeling I had from visiting Christchurch is….depressed. Four years ago two earthquakes destroyed this city. Where there were beautiful, historical old buildings now lay a barren lot. If not a bare lot, there are huge vacant buildings just waiting to be leveled. The city felt a little like a ghost town or what may have been the beginning of an episode from the Walking Dead. (Okay….slight exaggeration…but it was pretty sad.) After the earthquake they suffered over 300 aftershocks in the following year. One in 10 houses we saw had major construction going on or was vacated. I guess it is a HUGE problem because people are living in the garages or not living in their houses at all because the houses have been deemed unsafe. Home owners are paying on their mortgages, not living in them and still waiting for repairs. IF you are in construction and want a work visa…Christchurch may just be the market for you. They estimate it will take 50-100 years for the economy to recover. It was so sad and devastating, but I’m glad we at least stopped over for a bit. It was pretty remarkable to see.
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Our last day in New Zealand was spent where we started our trip, in Auckland. We had dinner at The Depot…. The number one ranked restaurant in Auckland…and it didn’t disappoint.
Well, New Zealand, we anticipated you being the trip of a lifetime. You did not disappoint. Two and a half weeks together, Ryan and I (thankfully) still want to remain married. :) We had the BEST and most unforgettable time. Our favorites in no order of importance:
1) Abel Tasman – kayaking
2) Waitomo caves
3) Key Summit hike (Fjordlands)
4) Horseback riding (Queenstown)
5) Visiting with old friends
6) Auckland
Until we come back for another short ‘holiday’ or to permanently retire…..signing off.
Sweet as New Zealand. Sweet as.
~Brains and Brawn
Well, New Zealand, we anticipated you being the trip of a lifetime. You did not disappoint. Two and a half weeks together, Ryan and I (thankfully) still want to remain married. :) We had the BEST and most unforgettable time. Our favorites in no order of importance:
1) Abel Tasman – kayaking
2) Waitomo caves
3) Key Summit hike (Fjordlands)
4) Horseback riding (Queenstown)
5) Visiting with old friends
6) Auckland
Until we come back for another short ‘holiday’ or to permanently retire…..signing off.
Sweet as New Zealand. Sweet as.
~Brains and Brawn
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