DAY 16: Floating Along in Queenstown

From NZ - DAY 16

QUEENSTOWN -- Today I really felt like I was on vacation. It was a leisure day for me. I decided to sleep in late for a change -- until 9:30 a.m. I then headed out for a peaceful day walking about Queenstown.

The city is rather small but very commercial. It has some nice bars, pizzerias, and shops.

In the morning I took a gondola (basket thing) to the top of a hill to this entertainment complex high above the city.

While I was there I partook in riding several luge tracks, which were great fun. I may do it again tomorrow.

After that I checked into a new hostel downtown, which is just great. It is basically an riverfront hotel at extremely reasonable prices. In the states I would expect to pay $150 to $200 for a night here meanwhile I am paying about $40 for my own room with its own bathroom and TV. This is quite amazing for a hostel.

I had some ice cream, did some Christmas shopping.

I did some para-sailing out on the water on a glorious day surrounded by mountains.

It was a very smooth and quiet ride if you can believe it.

Good fun. Tomorrow I am taking a jet boat ride as well as a helicopter ride up into the mountains.