Queenstown, New Zealand

06/24/2007 - 07/03/2007

Duncan jumped off Coronet Peak, Queenstown in summer 2005 with only a para-sail on his back. Could a return visit in wintertime possibly be as exciting? Little did we know getting to Queenstown for Winter Festival can be its own adventure.

Friends Rachael and Ralph decided to join us in renting a condo for the long weekend getaway. We both planned to fly in to Queenstown on the same day, yet on different flights. Rachael's flight left two hours earlier than our flight. Reports of a huge dumping of snow filled the weather reports. Our flight was cancelled and Rachael's flight diverted in to a town 3 hours south of Queenstown.

What to do, what to do? The decision to get on a flight to Christchurch, typically a five hour drive from Queenstown, turned out to be the start of our adventure. On arrival in Christchurch, we looked for options to get to Queenstown. All flights in to anywhere near Queenstown were cancelled. By this time, night was upon us and we decided to stay in Christchurch for the evening. Perhaps tomorrow will bring a break in the weather.

The next morning we proceeded to the airport to find our options still limited. As the guy at the counter explained to Duncan that Queenstown is an alpine resort (thanks for that update) and all flights were cancelled, Robin discovered a bus service with an option. Duncan proceeded to book us the last two tickets on the bus while Robin scoured the baggage claim area to get the luggage back from the airline. Now here is where the realization we are not in the U.S. hits home. The nice lady Air NZ agent, who knows we are trying to get on a bus in 5 minutes, comes over and says "Come on into the baggage handling area and take a look". While the baggage handler guys are throwing luggage on the belt, Robin peruses threw the bevy of bags not yet on the belt. Everyone starts to look for our bags. "There they are!", Robin exclaims. Good thing we got the new wheelie luggage. A quick thanks and off Robin runs with the luggage.

We make the bus and the real adventure begins.

Rachael and Ralph anxiously awaited our arrival - especially since the town was deserted. The bad news was the Winter Festival was cancelled. Oh well, we had to make our own fun. The condo we rented at the Glebe was outstanding.

The long weekend was a good fun even without the Winter Festival. However, the big question was whether flights would leave Queenstown. The snow had stopped, but ice remained on the runways and the airport is a bit tricky. In the end, our flight left on time and Rachael/Ralph's flight was delayed until the next day.