Bumpy, Narrow, Switchback Roads, Jet Boat, Helicopter, and a Gondola ride to the top of the mountain!

All in one day no less! 

Our ride out was just a typical ride on the road.  We then turned off, on a less traveled road, and after about 30 minutes stopped for some tea and a potty break at at Skipper’s Stop… a little place that had refreshments available… For some, I think they might have wanted to clean their undies after the skinny, narrow, bumpy road we had been on.  Didn’t bother Jerry or I, but some folks were nervous.  After about 30 minutes, we loaded the minivan and headed for our little makeshift dock on the Shotover River… whose history claims it was one of the richest gold-bearing rivers in the world, and it hasn’t been that long since they stopped mining it.  The Winkly’s who operated our tour use to mine for many generations, but have now found tourism is a better form of income than the gold.  We put on our life jackets and water slickers… we were gonna get wet!

The trip down the river and back was awesome!  We were really moving, and at times, I wasn’t sure how the heck we were going to get through some of the narrower passages.  Add that to the way he could turn that boat on a dime…It was way too much fun and exhilarating!  I took pics on the boat a couple times, but not often… too hard when we were going so fast.  They had camera’s set up along the route, so that’s where some of the pics come from also.

Finished up the boat ride, and wait!!!! Now a helicopter ride to see the sights from above and to get back to Queenstown.  The ride was just as much fun but for different reasons.  We skimmed the tops of the mountains (sorta like the foothills of the Cascades, but without all the fir trees!). I was able to post a short video on Facebook I hope you could see!  What a way to top off the Jet Boat Trip!

Got back home and it was time for a meal, so we meandered around town, ate, and then headed for the ‘Gondola’ they have going up the hill… really, really steep!  The best views unfold before you!  You are 1475 feet above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak!  Jerry took the foot path down from up there while I rode the Gondola back home.  He’s a crazy guy you know!!!

Tomorrow I'm a thinking we are gonna sleep in a bit!  Blogging sign off for today!  Will check back in tomorrow... or???

The leaves are turning color here... it's autumn!

Jerry found a buddy I see!

 Hello, Hello?  Can anyone hear me?  I've got this ball and chain tied to me!!!

 This bridge over the canyon was one of the original bungy jumping platforms... Bungy jumping originated in New Zealand... and they are quite proud!

 A small pause in our trip!

 Crazy Bungy Jumper