Today we quite literally jumped right into our New Zealand vacation. Thanks to our internal clocks being completely off, we both rolled over and opened our eyes right around 5 a.m., just in time to see the mountains glowing pink with the sunrise. It was a great catch. But 5 a.m. was too early to get up, so we went back to sleep until the alarm went off at 7:30 a.m. - both feeling much better after our exhaustion from the day before.
Breakfast downstairs at 8 a.m. was picture perfect. I had lovely loose leaf English Breakfast tea (and thought to myself that my mother-in-law Carole would love this place). And granola, vanilla porridge with bananas in honey. Dave was very content with bacon, avocado and tomato on toasted ciabatta bread.
After breakfast, I decided it was time to run off yesterday's Ferg Burger. I went for a 5.5 mile run along the lake on the Frankton Track. It was my first time back running since my half marathon a few days ago, and it felt great to be out. Being surrounded by mountains always helps too. I also learned very quickly that running in NZ follows the same rules as driving, stay to the left. Pass on the right. It's all very easy to forget, unless you keep repeating it to yourself.
While I was out running, Dave went exploring up the Shotover River. He hiked for about 30 mins along the gorge, taking photos and taking in the beautiful ice blue glacial water.
We reconvened at the hotel and got ready to head out for our real adventure of the day.
A few months ago, I told Dave to jump off a bridge. He said okay. And I went ahead and booked him a bungy jump at the very place where bungy jumping was invented. The bill was paid in advance. So, when today arrived and it was time for him to take the plunge, we took a collective deep breath and drove out to the Kawarau Bridge outside of Queenstown.
The bridge, 47 meters (154ft) above the beautiful Kawarau river, was a marvel to behold. The entire set up was quite an operation. You could see the bridge from the road, hovering above the blue water gorge. And there was a beautiful visitors center built into the side of the mountain. Dave was excited, I could tell. There were definitely some nerves. But more than that, I know that he was excited to finally feel what the sensation of falling was really like. My husband, who always loves to climb up to the highest point, was finally going to be able to jump off.
Dave checked in and I positioned myself on the viewing deck with camera ready to roll. It seemed like forever waiting for his turn. I can only imagine what it felt like for him. From what he says, there wasn't much time to process it all. I saw him smiling at me from over on the bridge, then his number was called and he climbed into a glass booth hovering over the water where he was strapped into to his jumping gear and cord. Then all of a sudden Dave appeared on the edge of the jump platform. I could see he was nervous and excited at the same time but there wasn't much time to feel anything at all. He gave the thumbs up to the cameras - and then my husband took a step over the edge and hurled himself into the river gorge. What an amazing moment. He free-fell down to the water and then the cord recoiled and he went gracefully flying through the air. I caught his face in a few photos and he was laughing and smiling. I was so proud of him.
Then they lowered him down into a raft in the river below, unstrapped him and set him free with only his exhilaration and a DVD of photos to remember them by. I went running down the hill to hug my glowing husband. First words out of his mouth? I want to do that again!
I was starving from all of the anticipation. From bungy headquarters, Dave and I headed to the small town of Arrowtown to have some lunch and explore the shops. The town was quaint. Just one main street left over from the days of the New Zealand gold rush. We had a nice lunch at Cafe Monde and Dave enjoyed a much needed beer, and recounted the step by step emotions of jumping off a bridge.
After exploring Arrowtown, we were feeling restless and wanted to do something active. We drove over to Lake Hayes right outside of town and decided to hike the trail around the lake. At first we were just going to go out and back for a bit, but like always, we keep saying "I wonder what's around that corner?" and so we ended up fast walking around the lake - a little more than 5 miles total. The surrounding views were incredible, the lake was peaceful and the wetlands in the lower areas were fascinating. We saw lots of bunnies and ducks and the occasional kayaker. We chatted, strolled and hoofed up some steep inclines. It was a perfect, relaxing afternoon.
We got back into Queenstown around six p.m. and headed out on an errand to buy Dave some new shorts (apparently he was in denial that it really would be summer here, and didn't pack any). Then back to the hotel room to get ready for dinner.
Dinner was at Gantley's - the self-proclaimed most romantic restaurant in Queenstown. So much so, that they pay for a taxi to come pick you up and take you home - which was perfect because it was pouring down rain and we wanted to drink wine! Gantley's was phenomenal. I started with a beetroot, fig tart on pasty with goat cheese and Dave had the crayfish bisque. Then for the main course, I had duck with figs and a mushroom tart and Dave had the beef fillet with rosemary potatoes. For dessert I had some incredible sticky toffee puddingwith vanilla ice cream and Dave had a citrus, saffron crepe with strawberry sauce. It was one of the better meals we've had in a long time. Not to mention the bottle of Gibbston Valley Riesling 2011. Perfect pairing.
Now we're back at the hotel and about to get some sleep for our big day tomorrow. I wonder if it will be possible to top jumping off a bridge? Don't worry family and friends, tomorrow's activities all take place firmly on the ground. But I can tell you, that I keep looking at Dave's eyes, and I know that he is reliving that bridge over and over again. I'm glad we bought the video so when we get home, we can show you all the evidence of his incredible jump. Nothing like jumping right into your vacation on day one, right?
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| We were lucky to catch the morning sunrise over the mountains. |
Breakfast downstairs at 8 a.m. was picture perfect. I had lovely loose leaf English Breakfast tea (and thought to myself that my mother-in-law Carole would love this place). And granola, vanilla porridge with bananas in honey. Dave was very content with bacon, avocado and tomato on toasted ciabatta bread.
After breakfast, I decided it was time to run off yesterday's Ferg Burger. I went for a 5.5 mile run along the lake on the Frankton Track. It was my first time back running since my half marathon a few days ago, and it felt great to be out. Being surrounded by mountains always helps too. I also learned very quickly that running in NZ follows the same rules as driving, stay to the left. Pass on the right. It's all very easy to forget, unless you keep repeating it to yourself.
While I was out running, Dave went exploring up the Shotover River. He hiked for about 30 mins along the gorge, taking photos and taking in the beautiful ice blue glacial water.
 |
| Shotover River gorge. |
 |
| Shotover River gorge. |
We reconvened at the hotel and got ready to head out for our real adventure of the day.
A few months ago, I told Dave to jump off a bridge. He said okay. And I went ahead and booked him a bungy jump at the very place where bungy jumping was invented. The bill was paid in advance. So, when today arrived and it was time for him to take the plunge, we took a collective deep breath and drove out to the Kawarau Bridge outside of Queenstown.
The bridge, 47 meters (154ft) above the beautiful Kawarau river, was a marvel to behold. The entire set up was quite an operation. You could see the bridge from the road, hovering above the blue water gorge. And there was a beautiful visitors center built into the side of the mountain. Dave was excited, I could tell. There were definitely some nerves. But more than that, I know that he was excited to finally feel what the sensation of falling was really like. My husband, who always loves to climb up to the highest point, was finally going to be able to jump off.
Dave checked in and I positioned myself on the viewing deck with camera ready to roll. It seemed like forever waiting for his turn. I can only imagine what it felt like for him. From what he says, there wasn't much time to process it all. I saw him smiling at me from over on the bridge, then his number was called and he climbed into a glass booth hovering over the water where he was strapped into to his jumping gear and cord. Then all of a sudden Dave appeared on the edge of the jump platform. I could see he was nervous and excited at the same time but there wasn't much time to feel anything at all. He gave the thumbs up to the cameras - and then my husband took a step over the edge and hurled himself into the river gorge. What an amazing moment. He free-fell down to the water and then the cord recoiled and he went gracefully flying through the air. I caught his face in a few photos and he was laughing and smiling. I was so proud of him.
Then they lowered him down into a raft in the river below, unstrapped him and set him free with only his exhilaration and a DVD of photos to remember them by. I went running down the hill to hug my glowing husband. First words out of his mouth? I want to do that again!
 |
| Arrowtown mainstreet. |
After exploring Arrowtown, we were feeling restless and wanted to do something active. We drove over to Lake Hayes right outside of town and decided to hike the trail around the lake. At first we were just going to go out and back for a bit, but like always, we keep saying "I wonder what's around that corner?" and so we ended up fast walking around the lake - a little more than 5 miles total. The surrounding views were incredible, the lake was peaceful and the wetlands in the lower areas were fascinating. We saw lots of bunnies and ducks and the occasional kayaker. We chatted, strolled and hoofed up some steep inclines. It was a perfect, relaxing afternoon.
 |
| Lake Hayes hike. |
We got back into Queenstown around six p.m. and headed out on an errand to buy Dave some new shorts (apparently he was in denial that it really would be summer here, and didn't pack any). Then back to the hotel room to get ready for dinner.
Dinner was at Gantley's - the self-proclaimed most romantic restaurant in Queenstown. So much so, that they pay for a taxi to come pick you up and take you home - which was perfect because it was pouring down rain and we wanted to drink wine! Gantley's was phenomenal. I started with a beetroot, fig tart on pasty with goat cheese and Dave had the crayfish bisque. Then for the main course, I had duck with figs and a mushroom tart and Dave had the beef fillet with rosemary potatoes. For dessert I had some incredible sticky toffee puddingwith vanilla ice cream and Dave had a citrus, saffron crepe with strawberry sauce. It was one of the better meals we've had in a long time. Not to mention the bottle of Gibbston Valley Riesling 2011. Perfect pairing.
Now we're back at the hotel and about to get some sleep for our big day tomorrow. I wonder if it will be possible to top jumping off a bridge? Don't worry family and friends, tomorrow's activities all take place firmly on the ground. But I can tell you, that I keep looking at Dave's eyes, and I know that he is reliving that bridge over and over again. I'm glad we bought the video so when we get home, we can show you all the evidence of his incredible jump. Nothing like jumping right into your vacation on day one, right?
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