Franz Josef to Queenstown

We drove a long way today - 350 kilometers (200 miles).  It isn't a long drive in the States but here, the roads twist and turn through the mountains and you might average 40 miles per hour at best.  We made stops along the way for lunch and to view some of the wonderful scenery.  One particularly beautiful spot was the Fantail Falls.  There the water in the stream running below it took on a distinctive aqua marine color.  This color was quite a contrast to the typical gray-green waters elsewhere in the mountains.  We passed signs for several ski resorts but could not locate any ski runs from the highway.  Queenstown is New Zealand's premier ski resort and it was a busy place when we arrived.  Actually, it is an attractive city year-round but is busiest in winter and summer.  Boating and fishing are popular summertime activities in Queenstown which rests on the shores of Lake Wakapiku.  After dinner, we wandered the town.  A Highland Pipe and Drum band was playing in a courtyard.  Many people were dining in the open air sections of the many restaurants.  The most incredible discovery was the extremely expensive prices for activities and outings.  Jet skis were renting for $169 per person for less than an hour.  Cave tours were $93 for an adult.  Half-day bicycle rentals were $89.  I guess there are a lot of people with enough money to make it work.  Queenstown is more expensive than Vail or Beaver Creek in Colorado.  We were happy to walk the waterfront.

Fantail Falls

Beach on Tasman Sea

Lake Hawea