Queenstown Calling

Yes, I know I had pre-announced that today was going to be another Fiji blog and giving you all of the information about the things to do or not to do there, but alas I was way too tired on Sunday and didn’t quite get around to releasing the last and final video on Fiji (which I also have to film). I shall not make any empty promises for next week. In an unexpected turn of events, and VERY unexpected, I ended up booking a trip to Queenstown with just two-weeks notice. This is a new trend for me I think. Last July I did the same and booked to go to Chicago and Toronto and this year it’s Queenstown.

LAKE WAKATIPU FROM THE CABLE CAR LANDING

Queenstown is absolutely beautiful in the winter. It’s one of those cities that has a lot of beauty to offer during summer and winter. This will be my second time to Queenstown in the winter (fourth overall). I remember, the last time I was there in winter, I’d just landed and stepped out of the airport to get in to a cab and go to the hotel. The few minutes that I stood in line for the cab, it snowed! This was the first time I had ever experienced snowfall. I have been on snow-capped mountains in Europe, but I had never experienced snowfall. That particular snowfall was underwhelming as it only lasted a few minutes and was a light fall.

My trip will be 5-days long. I’m still firming up the rest of my itinerary, but if there’s anything that I’ve learnt in life, is that the most impromptu plans are always the best. But in saying that, please don’t always plan last minute! The day I arrive will be a day to relax. The good thing about Queenstown is that, it is very small and I’ve been there so many times that I can actually relax and not have to worry about being out and about all the time. I don’t know if I’m willing to dedicate the first night to the obligatory 45-minute wait for a Fergburger but we’ll see how I’m feeling on the day.

The one thing I’m quite excited about is the day-trip to Milford Sound. It has been almost 8-years since I’ve done that. I won’t write too much about that here, I will be that person carrying about 10 different cameras to film the entire thing. #YouTuberLife. Once I have captured it all on camera and hopefully there will be a few seals who come and say hello, I will release a video and write a blog on it. My memories from my initial Milford Sound trip are somewhat fading, and I don’t want to write the wrong information, so rest assured there will be a video and blog on Milford Sound in the (near) future.

MILFORD SOUND

There will also be a day dedicated to Lake Tekapo. If you recall, I wrote a blog about it a little while ago, you can read that here. Lake Tekapo is roughly a 3-hour drive from Queenstown and is a stunning place. It is known for the place to go if you’re into stargazing. One of the few things I’ve always wanted to experience is the Northern/Southern Lights. Tekapo has been known to have  a fantastic display and winter is the best time to see Southern Lights, I hope and pray that I get to see this, this year. There is one little problem. The best time to see it is usually midnight. I can guarantee you, I will not be there at midnight.

Milford Sound and Lake Tekapo will take up two full days, and that leaves 3 remaining days. Well, two really as the first day I arrive I probably won’t get up to much. I’m contemplating on whether chilling in Queenstown is the best. Or whether doing trips to Wanaka, Glenorchy and Te Anau should be included?

CHURCH OF GOOD SHEPHARD, LAKE TEKAPO. COPYRIGHT SHUB GOSWAMI

Until next time,

MiliG