Queenstown..the extreme sport capitol of the world...No joke!

We arrived in Queenstown on Thursday and were not disappointed.  For anyone who has ever been to Europe, Queenstown will immediately remind you of the Alps.  Jagged peaks rise up from a pristine green/blue lake and surround you with 360 degree vistas...its is quite simply, spectacular.  The photo below was taken from our balcony at the hotel...believe when I say, photos do not do this place justice.

Before, and after arriving in Queenstown, we have continually been told we HAD to visit the Fiords---and specifically Milford Sound.  Its was a three hour drive. but we were not disappointed.  The Fiorlands National Park and Milford Sound were simply, the most dramatic and spectacular place I have EVER been.  I wish that you all could have seen this place...the flowers, the dramatic 10K sheer ledge mountains that shoot straight up from the Tasman Sea are remarkable and leave you breathless on every turn.

The town of Queenstown is quaint and would remind you of a small Colorado ski town with shops, restaurants all made of block, rock and timber and give you the feel of a small village in the Alps.  Everywhere we go, people are so friendly, and sooo much more relaxed than in the US.  I did mention that Queens town is the extreme sport capitol of the world....well its where bungy jumping began commercially in 1987 at a place called Kawarau Bridge...a 160 year old bridge constructed for the gold rush just outside between Queenstown and Arrowtown.  And yes, that is where I jumped...check that one of the bucket list!

Wellington...the fare city on the sea....

we arrived in Welllington on Thursday morning after another two days of harrowing driving through steep mountain passes and along narrow coastline.  At every turn we have not bee disappointed, the scneary has been as spectacular as advertised.

We made an afternoon stop on Wednesday at the quaint art deco town of Napier in Hawkes Bay where the presominant wine country is in New Zealand...but the rain and winds caused us to move further south in search of the sun.

Napier was constructed in the 20's and still retains most of the art deco character of that period.  The wineries that surround this area are beautiful as are the long bays and soaring cliffs.

After leaving Napier we put up for the night in Plymouth North a small college town North of Wellington and drove into Wellington on Thursday morning.

Wellling is gorgeous!  The City is set along a beautiful bay with buildings built up the side of a mountain.  On first glance it strikes you of being a very small Hong Kong, but its medditerranean influences and architecture are also ver appearant.  Throughout New Zealand there is a vast array of trees---from palm trees to pine trees and flowing trees as well.  The City is surrounding by towering mountains and inlets with breathtaking views at almost every turn.

We stsrted out by walking the City...no small feat indeed!  Along the aterfront and back through the older sections of the city--then along the Government city where the Nation's Parliament and Prime Minister live and work.  It is amazing to see cities so clean, so well constructed, so beautiful and with palm trees to boot!

after walking for hours we boarded the cable car and took it to the top of the hill that overlooks the City...the views here were spectacular!

The most dramatic part of the trip, however, was when we drove out from the City around the point of Wellington...this is Newport RI on steroids, and more beautiful that any other single place I had ever seen...until we arrived in Queenstown...more photos from there to follow.

Fly Fishing...a whole new adventure

We left Auckland on Monday morning and set off for the lake town of Rotorua in central NZ on the North Island.  When I say the hills are green and lush, it is no understatement.  The 2 hour drive south was a wonderment on green rolling volcanic hills and beautiful lakes.

We arrived in Rotorua and quickly made our way to the hot springs.  Although it is a beautiful town, it is definitely a tourist destination with many shops, tours and the like.  We decided to take the road less travelled and headed out to the Falls around Rotorua's other three lakes...and we were not disappointed...it was breath taking beautiful with high cliffs running down to the green clear lakes.

On Tuesday we headed further South to Turangi around the Tongorino river for some fly fishing...and what an adventure it was.  We stayed at a fabulous fishing lodge called the Creel--right on the river---and Roy began the slow painful tasks of teaching me how to fly-fish.  Once we finally got the fly hook OUT of my leg (yes, it was painful) we finally started to make some progress.  By nights end (around 9pm here), I was actually casting in rhythm and finding some peace in the process.

Tucked on the South side of Lake Taupo...Turangi is a sleepy, but wonderful town.  Next stop Napier on the Coast!

Auckland...the City that stole my heart

We arrived in Auckland on Saturday evening/Sunday morning...and it was a trip.  We left Brisbane hoping to arrive in Auckland by 11pm, but when the captain informed us that the lights at Auckland airport had gone out...we knew it was going to be a long evening, and it was.  after circling for 2 hours, we finally landed at Hamilton airport 80klm south of Auckland and waited until several buses arrived to bus us to Auckland...where we arrived at 3am!

All that behind us, we set out to see Auckland on Sunday...and see we did.  While Sydney was beautiful...Brisbane stunning...it was Auckland that stole my heart.  The stunning confluence of old world charm and shear beauty of its surroundings has made it my favorite City thus far.

While Brisbane was dominated by a Mediterranean influence, Auckland reminded me more os San Diego or a much larger Newport RI.  The City was built upon the a breathe taking bay with views from where ever you walked.  Auckland, itself was built on several volcano's which are apparent as you walk the city and view out to the numerous islands that dot the landscape.

You'll be immediately taken by the green hues of the water, the cleanliness of the city and the tropic setting of the City.  The topping, though, was walking into the Christmas parade which attracts thousands of people to Auckland every year...it may not be snowing here, but they take their Christmas serious!

Next stop the lake town of Rotorua!

Brisbane...if only we had longer...

We arrived in Brisbane, pronounced (Briz-Ben) on Friday evening after another long, and yes terrifying, drive from Gladstone...and we were not disappointed.  The city was larger than expected and is built along the river and while there are parts that would remind you of the Charles--all comparisons should stop there.  Brisbane is both eclectic and very cosmopolitan in a Mediterranean chis style all its own.  Its downtown is vibrant with hundreds of world class restaurants, beautifully designed buildings and...as always it is wonderfully designed around open park spaces that are rivaled by no other Country I know...minus the French.

Ahh, Finally Heron Photos

Located 40 miles off the coast of Gladstone is a tiny Island that we came to know as paradise.  Just on the tip of the great barrier reef, it is part of the Capricornia Cay Islands...words simply do not do it justice and it is one of the locations everyone should visit one day...

We Have Found Paradise...

Its been a few days since our last post...and for good reason.  We left Surfers Paradise on Sunday for what was a short three hour drive to the quaint port town on Gladstone where we were to depart for Heron Island.

after two hours the 8 lane super highway we were on quickly changed to two lanes, and began winding through the mountains.  After 4 hours the rains came and made the remaining 1.5 hours a terrifiying ride of mountain roads and torrential rains.  When we arrived in Gladstone, there was little light and we took the first room we could find.  The next morning, we left for the boat, with sunshine and great expectation.  Gladstone was more beautiful in the sun and the 100 foot catamarane waiting to take us to Heron was a welcome site. 

The boar ride to Heron was rough and Roy and I were the only passengers not to get sick on the way...arriving though we realized why we had gone to such great lengths to get here...it is paradise.  There are no phones, only minimal internet access--2.00 for 15 minutes, and no TV's.  what there is in abundance is the most beatiful white soft sand beaches I have ever seen, amazing wildlife and flowers, along with nesting 200lb turtles.  It is truly amazing.

For two days we have eaten, slept on the beach and walked this beautiful sanctuary.  We are unable to upload photos until we leave as we have to use the Islands computers...have I mentioned the rooms are lovely, but it is almost like we are at summer camp with a tent on the beach...its exactly what we wanted!

Tomorrow we dive, more sun, then Friday back to Brisbane and then on to New Zealand.  Hope you have a fabulous Thanksggiving and we'll upoad photos when we can!

Australia-The GOLD COAST

Day three of our adventure started with a beautiful sunny day in Sydney and the promise of sunshine further up the coast to a place called Surfers Paradise.

We took a taxi to the airport, where, while shopping the the fabulous Quantas Terminal, I heard the call for Brisbane passenger Gener Uulm.  Knowing this was an unusual name, I quickly departed the store to run smack into my colleague from DC who look in shock while running for his gate yelling "Summers, what on earth are you doing in Australia!"

We landed in Brisbane to more cloudy weather and rain, rented a car and started for the coast.  In Australia they drive on the right and opposite the US so find it easy to believe that I nearly gave Roy several heart attacks in the 60 klm ride to Surfers Paradise.

We arrived to Surfers Paradise, which can only be described as the cross section of Fort Lauderdale meets Dubai!   The most beautiful beaches in the world stacked three deep with glamorous hotels, casinos and shopping.  Or as Roy described, "Vegas meets the beach."  After sitting for an hour we decided to chase the sun and head south along the beach.  after about 10 miles we reached a more low key surfing village called Burliegh Head North...alas we have finally found Australia! 

Even despite the rain, the beauty of the gold coast is unmistakable, the beaches glorious and the waves continuous.  Day 4 has more time in Surfers Paradise, the further North to Gladstone where we catch the launch for Heron Island and the great barrier reef..Stay tuned,