Marina Apartments Queenstown

A summary of our week since leaving the retreat...
Well the stars came out over Lake Tekapo and it was a fantastic sight. We couldn't believe how bright and clear they were. It was like seeing a big dot to dot picture in the sky. Max saw two shooting stars within minutes of each other. Having been up in the night star gazing we were dozy the next day so decided to relax - we did this in the natural, hot water springs just five minutes from ...

... dinner while we were up at the top of the mountain and it certainly didn't disappoint! We did this as a family when we were all here in 2006 and it was fantastic then too!
The amount of food on offer is unbelieveable theres a variety of soups, breads, salads, a huge fish stand, about 5 diferent main courses as well as 3 roasts meats, all manner of vegetables, a giant dessert stand with about 12 varietys ofpuddings and then also a selection of cheeses and ...

... on very well though and we are all joined by the communal bond that is New Zealand television. Instead of making their own programs it seems the kiwis buy the cheapest programs that other countries will sell including constant reruns of Jeremy Kyle, Wipeout, Home and Away, Extreme Makeovers, Oprah Winfrey and Dr Phil. However there is one awful, yet strangely addictive, kiwi soap that we all watch called Shortland Street during which everyday Steve sits with the laptop ...

... with his unserious (antonym of serious?) attitude toward wine. I was not used to the style of this wine tasting after attending tastings at the fancy International Wine Academy in Rome, where there are frequent sightings of wine snobs. I will say that I don't think Geoff spent enough time with the wine foreplay (smelling, swirling, etc.), how to hold the glass/open the bottle properly, but I guess that sort of ettiquete just doesn't fit in with his ...

... to Milford Sounds with. Just after pick up we drove further and our plan was to stay overnight in Te Anau. However the car decided to rebel again and in the middle of nowhere it just switched off completely. Shortly a car passing by pulled over and towed us to nearby little town, from we were towed back to Queenstown.
For the night we stayed in X-base, backpackers' lodge popular especially with the youth.

... and not fit for words. This was the scariest thing I've ever done and well let's just say the Nevis is a distant memory at this point and will need a couple of days of relief before I contemplate it again. All back in the bus, Steph jumping around saying she can't believe she done the bungy etc etc - and we descend into Queenstown - a touristy but idyllic little hub resting on a lake at the foot of the mountains. Very much an apres ski feel going on. We ...

... trip takes you to Milford Fiord (it is not actually a sound) and the best way I can describe it is that this is NZ's most iconic scenery. The photos just cannot do it justice. We got a 2.5 hour boat ride on the fiord and once again everything is just spectacular The mountain scenery is very dramatic. Now I am in Christchurch which is very English just not so old and will move to Kaikoura soon to see some dolphins hopefully!! Enjoy the photos! Much love abs x x x xx

... up at 7.50am and set on our long drive stopping for various breaks along the way to take some pictures of the scenery - 'The Remarkables', 'Homer Bridge' and the section of the road where an Audi advert was filmed. We arrived at the Milford Wharf Visitor Centre, situated in the Freshwater Basin, at 1.20pm where we boarded the boat straight away and sat down for a buffet lunch. After lunch we enjoyed a 2 hour cruise through Milford Sound to the entrance of the Tasman ...

... we set to retrace our steps back along Milford Road and all the way to Queenstown.

As we were waiting to get through the Homer Tunnel I noticed one of the famous 'Kea' birds sitting on a fence post near the side of the road.



A short while later we also saw a beautiful bird of prey soaring above us when we stopped for a break before we ...

... hat. Qualität!

Was mach ich eigentlich beruflich hier? Bin sogenannter Second Year House Surgeon, was leider bedeutend mehr Lakeientum beinhaltet, als das bei meinem derzeitigen Erfahrungsstand in England oder Deutschland der Fall waere, da ich keine Untergebenen habe, also zum groessten Teil PJ Kram mache. Bin mir sicher, Sebi erlebt im PJ mehr in der Urologie als ich. Ist mir aber Piepegal, da ich ja nicht zum arbeiten hier bin, sondern um das Land zu geniessen ...