AuCkLAnD —-> QuEEnsToWn, NeW ZEaLAnD

Today I took about a two hour flight from Auckland to Queenstown, South Island.  Every local in Auckland has been telling me to head to Queenstown for a nonstop party.  Queenstown is a resort town in the south-west of New Zealand’s South Island.  It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu.

I never really plan too much when I travel.  I read a little bit on the internet and feel out a destination when I get there as I have commitment issues.  I usually find a better thing to do or see when I actually arrive at a destination.  I bought my one-way plane-ticket last-minute yesterday.  I actually tried to fly yesterday but the seats were all sold-out.  When I arrived in Queenstown today, I really had no idea where I was going.  I wanted to drive directly to an awesome ski resort called Cardrona, but that ski resort did not have a lot of options online for accommodations.  Someone on the street today recommended the X Base Hostal in Queenstown.  However, there were many lodging and backpacker hostals to choose from.

It was a good thing I did that because word on the street here in Queenstown is that most of the ski resorts are pretty sleepy.  It is best to stay in Queenstown and then do the half-hour or hour drive to the resort.  Well, that’s only if you want excitement at night.

When I travel alone, I usually like to stay in hostals so I can meet people and learn from them.  I rented a bed in a six-bedroom dorm room with it’s own bathroom for $29 New Zealand Dollars – not too shabby!  One thing I have noticed about my hostal experience throughout the world is that at times they have a stench of the filthy traveler, but this hostal was surprisingly clean without any smell. The hostal is in the center of the small town and my room is right on the street with several windows and a small balcony.

When I arrived in my room today, I was happy to see that there is only one other guest staying in my room.  My roommate is from Switzerland.  I talked with him about Switzerland as I went snowboarding at Zermatt and visited Zurich last December.  He told me about his travels in New Zealand so far and his future plans for Singapore and the Phillippines.  I offered some travel advice on the Phillippines as I spent some time there last Summer traveling and recording my music album.  They say that Auckland is a sleepy city compared to Queenstown. Right now they are in the middle of Winter Festival which is about 10 days of non-stop action with over 60 events including street parties, fireworks, music, comedy, sheep racing, and these other races where people dress very strangely.

I am not coming to Queenstown just for the crazy nightlife, but I want to go snowboarding!  There are several ski resorts near Queenstown including Cardrona, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Treble Cone. This town is the center for adventures as you can bungy jump, sky dive, jet boat, luge, hang glide, canyon swing, cliff jump, and much, much more.  The surrounding areas of Queenstown contain many locations used in the filming of the Lord of the Rings.  The reason they filmed here is because of the absolute beauty of the landscape.

Well, tonight is White Wednesday at the hostal bar.  Take a look at this flyer!  Tonight is Jelly Wrestling, Wet T-Shirt contest and Wet Jock contest for cash prizes!  WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!