Tues 18 Nov 2014 - Queenstown

Up for breakfast and prepare for some adrenaline-fuelled fun. Today we are determined to do the Shotover Jetboat Ride. Over 1 million people do this every year. In February this year Prince William and Kate enjoyed the experience.

We were bused from the booking office in town to the boat operations near Arrowtown - a trip of about 10 minutes. Once on site it was don a spray jacket, life vest, beanie, get in the boat and hang on!! The pilot was very skilful driving at speed through the canyon, around tight corners, avoiding rocks, branches, overhangs and performing a dozen 360 degree positive and negative turns. There were quite a few white-knuckle moments but the pilot was in total control at all times (I assume!?). An exhilarating experience!

A look around the Shotover site, gift shop then a quick bus trip back into town.

Back to the hotel for a quick change of clothes (only because they were a bit damp from the water spray!!!) then we headed up the Gondola to the top of Queentown Hill for Allen to do the eco ZipTrek - 4 zip-lines down the mountain and a trek back to the top. Bern was not prepared to lose a firm grip on terra firma and attempt the ZipTrek. She was the official photographer.

We arrived at the ZipTrek mountain top check-in office and arranged for the 2pm run so had time for some lunch and another look around. 2pm came quickly and it was time to don the body harness (which would be my lifeline for the next 2 hours) beanie, helmet and gloves.

Then it was time to let loose any thoughts of safety by having both feet firmly on the ground. Soon I was attached to the overhead wire that would allow me to traverse the 90 meters high above the forest floor travelling at 50 klm until I reached the next platform - somewhere I could stand on other that the thin mountain air.

Then a short talk from our guide on the history, culture and the ecology of the area.

Then back on the wire for the next leg - this time a run of about 120 metres with about 75 metres of clear air between my feet and the forest floor but this time we were given the chance to do it upside down. Well I thought about doing it for about a nano-second and then realised that I just had lunch and it would be appropriate - so I passed (as did the other 4 participants).

So in traditional position I zipped down the line like an old hand arriving at the next station. Here we learned about the current & extinct birds and animals of the area.

Station 3 provided an new optional challenge - falling off the platform backwards, no hands and eyes closed (the old trust fall). I thought - I've already got my money's worth, why not! So my turn came and I proudly proclaimed I'd do the trust fall and out to the platform I went. Hooked up and connected to the wire I turned with my back to my destination, leaned back, and back, and back and then all of a sudden I was weightless falling helplessly backwards and thinking this is going to be an underpants changing moment but to my surprise I was zipping along the wire at unbelievable speeds until I reached my destination platform 180 metres away - I think I'm still running on the adrenaline from that stunt.

The final run was the longest - 195 metres - and in the traditional position and was a breeze compared to the previous run.

Fuelled by adrenaline and tempered with an element of fear we commenced the ascent to the starting point - a trek of about 10 minutes up a steep winding road.

What a buzz - exhilarating most of the time, terrifying at times (my choice), informative and educational.

While I did the ZipTrek Bern headed back down in the Gondola to do the shops. At the end of the ZipTrek I headed down the mountain and found the ZipTrek store to view the pics of my run then met Bern back at the hotel.

This afternoon the rain set in and fresh snow fell on the Remarkable Mountains and the other ranges around Lake Waikatipu.

Tommorow off to Franz Josef Glacier.

Today's temperature: Min 13 Max 16

Today's insights:

The Remarkable Mountains are one of only two mountain ranges in the world that are directly aligned directly North and South. The other is the Canadian Rockies.

Michael Hill (jeweller in Australia & New Zealand) owns Millbrook Golf Course & Resort just outside Arrowtown.