Two Weeks in: Day 14: Queenstown

Sunday, December 15, 2013

I wake up with no plans, but I know exactly what I want to do. I'm going to paraglide... AGAIN! What an amazing feeling. I simply must do this. There is no choice in the matter. I'm also going to investigate this Canyon Swing I've heard so much about.

I go back to the iSite Tourist info center and book paragliding for right now. As soon as I can get up the hill, the sooner a can jump off the mountain. I hike back up to the base of the Gondola. The view, as I stated before is spectacular.

I meet my tandem buddy, Brady. Another gorgeous guy, but he's born and raised in Queenstown, and has been paragliding for 17 years. We're going to jump from a different location this time. Bob's Peak. So now we have to hike 10 min up the mountain, which is a bit of a struggle. I'd like to blame it on my legs, but I'm out of shape. I will be doing lots of cardio when I get home! Haha

Brady is patient, but a little snarky. He's hilarious and you can get away with a lot of stuff when you look the way he does!! I need to marry one of these New Zealand boys!

We finally make it to the top, and I'm greeted with this:

This time we're going to sale over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. I'm giggling. We run off the mountain until our feet don't touch anymore and within moments, we're sailing high above Queenstown. Brady tells me I'm a natural, and suddenly I'm thing about moving to Queenstown to become a paraglide instructor!!

Enjoy!! I sure did!

We land in a school yard, and a hug later, I find myself skipping back to the town center. 

I'm starving and it's cold and ranging, so I decide to try a restaurant called, Cow. I thought it would be a steakhouse, but it's actually a pasta and pizza place. Perfect setting. Rustic feel, roaring wood fireplace. I warm myself by the fire, reflect on my amazing journey, and dine on wonderful food. 

Back to the hotel room and then to the Canyon Swing pick-up point. I meet a fellow adventurer, Paul, who is straight from Scotland. There are 5 of us in all. (Father and son, Paul, a young gal named, Ginger, and me.) Julien is our guide, and he's a bastard - a hilarious bastard, but still a bastard. haha. We loved him. He drives us up to the canyon site about 20 minutes outside of town, all the while telling us tales that are meant to scare us. 

Basically the Shotover Canyon Swing is a swing 190 meters above the Shotover Canyon floor. You are suspended over it and then they release you for a 60 meter free fall, and then swinging across the canyon. There are 70 different ways to be launched into the canyon - each one has a "dirty underpants" rating. (1-5) Their slogan is, "Even my sh*t was scared!" What the hell have I gotten myself into?

I need to redeem my reputation from Auckland's chickening out fiasco, so I choose the baby, 1 dirty underpants rated, "The Cutaway". Because I've chosen the "easy" one, I'm taunted for what seems like forever.... Just watch:

It was amazing.... and terrifying, and I'm high on life when it's done. The rest of my group follow me, all choosing terrifying launches.... After we've all jumped, we can jump again for $35. Of course we all do it!

I choose a slightly scarier launch at a "3-dirty underpants" rating.... I now feel as if I've really redeemed my reputation. 

I give you, "The Slide"

I am over the moon. Soooo glad that I've done this. We're all giggling on our way back to town. I go back to the hotel room, shower and change. I'm off to the bar where survivors of the Canyon Swing can drink cheaply. I bump into Paul, who is gorgeous, and not just because he has an accent. Are there any ugly men here? (Of course I didn't get a photo of him... sigh...) Then the lovely Sunny walks in - from zip lining the day before. Love her!!!

After a couple of drinks, and mooching off the free wi-fi, I make my way to Pier 19 to treat myself to a fabulous, although way too expensive dinner. My waiter is from Venice. He also showed up in Queenstown 2 years before and just never left. I'm not the only one to instantly fall in love with this place. 

I start chatting with an older couple sitting next to me from of all places, Austin, TX. I accidentally drop my napkin, lean down to pick it up, and I notice that HE, not SHE has on Red Glitter toe nail polish!! HAHAHA Fabulous. I don't care, but it did catch me off guard and I'm trying to compose myself talking to them. God Bless! :)

I don't think that a day can get any better than this, so I take myself home and get ready for my day at Lake Wanaka.