13 October 2014 Wednesday.
Our Skipper Canyon road trip cum Shotover Jet started at 0900 hrs. Initial drive was easy. We had some nice view of the green valley and a steam turbine train gave it some classic feeling.
The road behind us….
Our pictures just outside the Skipper Canyon
Entering Skipper Canyon…. we started to realize why this is among the top ten most dangerous road on earth. It is a single lane road with cliff next to it.
There are numbers of dangerous corner… looking from inside the car, it was like sloping down into the empty space. It gripped our nerves.
At some high point, we could see the mountain ranges and the nice ice peak in the background.
The mountain view keep changing…. from nice smooth slope ending in cliff protrusion.
…. to rocky protrusions smoothenout by weather or knife shaped ridge.
Looking up at some rocky columns…these are the view that make it to the background scene of Hobbits.
Passing the most mountainous path…. a little river flowing at the bottom of the valley.
It goes a little wider…
and wider….
It is beautiful green river valley…
And the Jet Boat operator
arriving at embarkation point…. we had to put on water proof suit.
The arrival of the jet boat…
The boatman and his dog.
We set off from this wide valley….
The jet boat picked up speed and jet through narrow gorge.
The mild thrill…. jetting through visibly sharp corner…
The greatest thrill comes from speeding towards cliff wall that does not seems to have any waterway ahead.
Adding to the kicks…. the jet bumps over rapids
and sway at high speed over rocky shallow waters…
The vegetation on the bank are equally spectacular…at one moment we saw brown leaf trees…
at another moment…. it was greenish pine…
and at other times…. it is simple colored barren rocks and caves.
and small waterfall.
A video clip capturing rapid water flow and rocky bump on the jet boat
Our picture on the jet boat…
Near the end of jet boat ride….we sped pass the bungy jump bridge.
Near the disembarkation point, we saw another group started their canoeing expedition. I thought we should try if we have more days here.
after we said good bye to the thrilling jet boat ride…. our driver drove us to rest point beside bungy Jump site . This is the bungy jump bridge that we saw earlier.
The mountain view behind the bungy jump bridge.
Below the Bungy jump bridge
Our Pictures at the rest points…
Skipper Canyon was spectacular and the jet boat was sensational. The guide drove us back safely to Queenstown after the trip. We decided to head for lunch at Gibbston Valley.
A little stopover at Hayes Lake again. Very beautiful Estate with spring flowers…
We strolled along the path by the lake….
We saw people rowing and their reflection was amazing….
photo session…
The reflection was superb.
We thought the lake was lovely. Had make two colored shots to portrait cold morning and warm afternoon.
Our pictures….
We make another stop at Kawarau Bridge.
The Bungy Jump Center.
Witness a thrill seeker Jumping off the bridge ….
We made another stop at the neighboring Chad Farm winery.
Looked across the Kawarau River. The lovely colored landscape.
The vineyard had just emerged from winter hibernation.
We had wine tasting in the Celler.
Very peaceful and relax
My wife had specially liking for the little yellow flowers…
Gibbston Valley is just minutes away from Chad Farm.
We visited the Barrel Hall.
Lunch at Gibbston Valley…Â resemble Asian deep fried.. very tasty.
After Lunch, a stopover by Lake Wakatipu. We enjoyed the color of Spring.
Our next target is Queenstown Luge and Gondola. Arriving at Skyline station.
An attractions for cyclists…
We had our Combo tickets and on our way up. The initial climb is very steep.
Chair Lift section…..Level stretch….
Relax moment At the summit of Bob’s Peak.
Looking down at Queenstown
Gondola and Luge attractions at the summit of Bob’s Peak.
The luge track @ Skyline Queenstown has nice wide open downhill view…
Family Luge.
We joined in the fun
Our Luge Ride
Evening time…..
We waited for the best sunset moment
as the sun ticked down…..
Our Pictures…
We positioned our camera to record the color of Queenstown as it stepped into darkness…
End of Day 10 : We had scenic, thrilling, relaxing and wonderful moment throughout the day. I especially like the continuous changing landscape of Skipper Canyon, the reflective Hayes Lake, the color of spring and color of sunset in Queenstown. Our original plan a year earlier was to visit Deer Park Height. It was closed and we replaced it with a trip to Hayes and Chad Farm winery and I thought it is absolute good replacement. This is Enjoyable… this is Kiwi Holiday.
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