The West coast and Queenstown

I arrived in Queenstown on Sunday evening after a 7 hour bus ride down the remote west coast and over a couple of mountain passes. I have decided that I will rent a car and retrace my route when I head back north at the end of the week and take some time to stop and enjoy the various places we saw on the way down. I have purposely chosen to travel on the now iconic Atomic Shuttle bus system as this allows me to look around instead of at the road, and to meet people along the way. It has worked well.

I have found that I am coming across the same people in different places. Yesterday I met the French guy who was one of the passengers on the glacier helicopter trip at the top of the mountain in Queenstown. There have been several other “repeat meetings”

There are lots of Americans in Queenstown, but they have been few and far between on the road so far. I met a lady from Oregon who is traveling with her daughter and a guy from Colorado but that is about it. Lots and lots of young people from all over the world some of whom have been traveling for a couple of years. It is possible, and I believe quite easy to get a temporary wor permit for a year both here and for Australia and it can be extended for a second year with no big issues. Most of the jobs are in the service industry or fruit picking. Some places offer a room and food in exchange for 3-4 hours work a day. 

The old fella is sleeping...I hope!!

We stopped several times on the way down including a lunch stop at a salmon fish farm that looks out over a large wetland, and at a little remote café with a grass airstrip opposite.

There was an elderly gentleman on the bust from Australia (I estimate mid 80s) who had been left behind by his tour bus and was having to play catch-up. He had a walking frame and we had to help him on and off the bus. The driver was most accommodating and was going to deliver him to his hotel after we were dropped off. Better service than his tour company evidently!

I think I have mentioned that I am concerned about my seeming over usage of superlatives when describing the places and things I am experiencing.

Queenstown will again test the use of superlatives. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Period. The scenery is stunning and the whole town is clean (very little litter anywhere in NZ) and there is lots of variety of places to eat and things to do.

Based on advice from Jen Grant who was here a couple of weeks ago I booked in to Thomas’s Hotel which is an upgrade in creature comforts from most of the places I have been in, but certainly not the lap of luxury. It is however right on the lakefront with superb views and easy access to everything. 

 Above two pics are from my room

I was originally staying two nights and then moving to Te Anau but will base myself here for the next few days as Wednesday is St Patrick’s Day and likely to be a load of fun.

I am going to Doubtful Sound on a day trip Friday and that includes a trip to a hydroelectric power station.

There are lots of “adventure” tours here all the way from Bungee jumping from a bridge with a six second fall (no thanks) to jetboats on the river to parasailing. There are lake cruises and loads of other activities.

There is a good Irish pub close by called Pog Mahones which is a misspelling of a Gaelic saying. 

It is a lively place and should be a good base for St Paddys Day. I met a girl and her Dad from Dublin who were traveling together and she is staying on to work, and another couple who have just finished working for Cirque du Soleil with one of their traveling shows. They have a house her as their base. Not a bad gig.