Embrace the Fear!!

This last week has been full of ups and downs....twists and turns, bumps and falls and we’ve absolutely loved it!! Get ready for a rollercoaster of a blog...are you game for the ride?!!

Wanaka – a gentle start

The journey from Franz Josef to Wanaka was itself full of ups and downs. We drove past some of what must be the world’s finest scenery. Calm lakes, alpine forests and dominating mountain peaks were the stars of many photos.

A typical view in the South Island

This was tempered by a bad looking crash. The Kiwi Experience carries gap students in various states of drunkenness up and down the country, but when we drove past them they had all sobered up pretty quickly. Their bus had been clipped by an overtaking car and gone straight into the forest. Fortunately there were no fatalities but a lot of scared and injured kids. We stopped to offer assistance but the emergency services were soon on the case.

We arrived to see the sunset over Lake Wanaka and headed to our campsite overlooking the lake and the town. Amazing!!

The sun has just set over Lake Wanaka

The next day started off with some fun. We went to Puzzling World. This place was nuts – it had a 1.5km maze on 2 levels and various rooms with optical illusions inside. One of the rooms was tilted at an angle and as soon as you entered it was like you were on a ferry in rough seas. Watching pool balls and water travelling upwards was pretty weird.

Puzzling?

Gem's been working out!!

We then headed up the mountain for our first taste of adrenalin – a paraglide from Treble Cone. It was an amazing experience. The views over the mountains and lakes were incredible and the aerobatic landing was awesome fun. Definitely something we’ll do again!!

The Remarkable Queenstown

The city of Queenstown is flanked by a beautiful mountain range which dominates the skyline. The range is aptly named The Remarkables. The next few days entailed getting as many views from as many different angles as possible!!

We started off with the gondola to the top of a hill overlooking the city – a stunning view. At the top there is a luge track. We bought 5 rides and all love went out the window. It was race time!!

The track was the best fun!! We bombed down it, skidding and sliding on the ice, overtaking and crashing. Money well spent!!

Gem winning on the luge!!

We then headed to an indoor crazy golf course. It was really good fun and, like always, Gem won!! We ended the day with a vodka cocktail in a bar called Minus 5 – so named because everything is made of ice. Querky but a “cool” experience (sorry!!).

Ells getting stressed playing crazy golf

Chillin' at Minus 5

Time to Embrace the Fear

We woke the next day and felt the butterflies. We had booked to go diving....from a plane at 15,000ft!!! Now, if you know Gem, you know that she is scared of breathing. A skydive may be a small step for many but it’s a giant leap for Gem.

We went to the shop for a safety talk and watched a video of a skydive. It was aimed at calming the nerves, but in Gem’s case made them worse!! We rode out to the airfield and got kitted up in our flight suits and harnesses. By this point Gem was terrified, but without time to back out, she dutifully hopped first into the aircraft.

The flight up to 15,000ft was quick. The views from the windows were beautiful, but when the aircraft notably slowed down and the door was opened, the brisk gust of air told that it was time. Ells shuffled to the door. Big smiles for the camera...gone. Then the moment of truth...would she, wouldn’t she?!! Of course she would!!! She shuffled to the door, eyes shut and teeth clenched (watch the video!!) and she was gone.

You reach terminal velocity of 200kph in seconds and after that the feeling of falling has gone. From there it is a simple freefall for 60 seconds while you enjoy the view and the air rushing past your face. It really is an exhilarating experience. When the canopy opens at around 5,000ft, relief sets in and you can just enjoy the glide down to the DZ (drop zone), where you softly touch down and thank God that you are back in one piece!!

Here are our videos...note the ridiculous facial expressions (it’s difficult to look cool at 200kph!!)

Ells' skydive

Gem's skydive

The next day we again got up early and headed back to the airport. Ells was takingan aerobatic flight....this one wasn’t for Gem!! The plane took off and headed along the Remarkables mountain range until out over Lake Wakatipu. There the fun began.

We started off with some gentle barrel rolls, then got into the hardcore stuff...twists and turns, flying upside down and even flying backwards (where you fly vertically until the speed falls so much that you start going backwards and spin out into controlled flight). The forces on the body were immense and we got up to a maximum of 5.5G, where Ells’ face looks like it’s about to fall off (watch the DVD when we get back!!). It was great fun but the 15 minute flight was long enough as he got off the plane a lot whiter than when he got on!!

Ells, not Amy!!

Time out in Milford Sound

After a few adrenalin-filled days, we decided to chill out by taking a drive down to Milford Sound. The journey was quite long but the scenic views were straight out of Lord of the Rings. The weather did get pretty crappy though the closer we got, so we were a bit concerned that our cruise on the Sound the next day wouldn’t exactly be photogenic.

It rained all through the night (which was very loud in the camper) but by the time we got on our boat the rain was gone. We got some free meal vouchers on the boat so ate like animals (picture Uncle Dave at a buffet!!), then headed out onto the deck for the views.

The beautiful Milford Sound

It was a fantastic ride with lots of geography for Gem to enjoy. We cruised right up the Sound, past waterfalls and valleys, out into the Tasman Sea then back. It really is a beautiful place and well worth the long drive.

Ells with a U-shaped valley (apparently!!)

Back for more

We drove back to Queenstown and headed straight to the ski rental shop. We hired all our gear and got the bus the next morning up to Coronet Peak. The ski field was a lot smaller than what we’re used to in the French Alps and the conditions were a bit icy (this is the 1^st week of their season) but there was enough snow to get back in the groove and enjoy the snow.

Awesome view from the top of Coronet Peak

Gem was content to stay on “the Big Easy” – a nice green run – where she focussed on her technique. Her left turn was a shameful snow plough on the 1^st morning, but became a beautiful parallel by the end of the 2^nd day. She skied a few successful blues off the top of Coronet Peak, where the views over Queenstown are incredible.

"Slow down, Gem!!"

Ells was a bit more confident and headed up to the top of Coronet Peak and attempted a few blacks, but the conditions were so icy that he stacked it a few times!! There were some nice blues that had churned up into decent snow, but on the whole they need a good dumping before the whole park opens up. A place to return some day we think!!

Ells admiring the view

Heading back up north

Our time in New Zealand is flying by. After 2 days on the slopes we are now heading up to Christchurch on the other side of the South Island.

We will blog again before we leave to tell you of our last week in the country.

Love Ells and Gem xx