Quad biking, Kiwi's and an Ice cold drink.
Yet another early start, this morning we are off quad biking. Yippee! Lauren and I had been looking forward to this. We were the last two to be picked up on the way to the farm and had to squash into a four-wheel drive full of other tourists and even a couple of locals. Once at the farm, we lined up to have our jackets and helmets fitted for our ride on the quads.
This was so much fun! After a few quick lessons on how to stay aboard on tricky hills, hill starts and so forth we were off. We rode around the farm for a few hours; taking in all the beautiful scenery. The farm itself was beautiful with picturesque valleys and rolling green hills, the same green hills I flew over on my way in to Queenstown on the plane. The further we rode the more stunning the views.
We got good and dusty and needed a good scrub once we got back to the quad bike base. But what fun!
In dire need of a wash, we headed back to the hotel for a shower. Lauren had wanted Chinese from the time we arrived in Queenstown, so we headed back into town for a bite to eat.
Lunch was at the Lakeside Palace Chinese Restaurant and then Licks for another delicious ice cream.
Lauren was very tired and wanted to head back to the hotel for a sleep. I decided to use this opportunity to take some photos. However, I ended up making my way to the base of the skyline gondola, yet again, not to ride to the top this time, but to have a look around the Kiwi & Birdlife Park. (Review to come later)
After a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon wandering amongst the endangered flora and fauna of New Zealand, it was back down the hill to town, where I was meeting Lauren at Minus 5 degrees Ice Bar for a pre dinner cocktail. Come five o’clock though, there was no sign of Lauren. As this was our last opportunity to go to the Ice Bar, I decided I’d go in, hoping Lauren was only running a bit late. So I rugged up in the warm jacket supplied, put on a warm pair of boots and followed my new drinking buddies into the bar.
After drinks at the Ice Bar, it was back outside into the warm air to thaw out, and wait for our cruise aboard the vintage steamship, TSS Earnslaw that would take us to dinner. We had dinner booked in the farmhouse on Walter Peak Farm at the other end of Lake Wakatipu. After our delectable dinner, there was a demonstration in sheep herding and sheep shearing. Then it was back onto the boat for a lovely cruise back to Queenstown... and bed.
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Right on the boardwalk near where the TSS Earnslaw steam ship docks, you will find the ‘booking office’ for the Ice Bar. This is where you make your reservation, ‘check in’, get all rugged up in the winter jackets and boots (if you are not wearing your own closed in shoes) and yes they are sheepskin boots... well, we are in New Zealand. Once everyone has checked in and is suitably attired, a member of the staff takes you through an arcade to the entrance to the Ice Bar where you pass through one set of doors and then another, (this part of the procedure is a little like herding sheep) and into the baa... I mean, into the bar we go.
There are approximately a dozen people in the bar at any one time. It is a small area and everything you see except the cash register and the bottles holding the alcohol, has been carved out of ice. There are many ice sculptures scattered around the room, a couple of seats that I found people only use for photo ops and some tall tables that came in handy for holding your drink while you got snap happy with the camera. The word that I kept hearing in the bar and each time I showed my photos to anyone back home was “Cool!”, and it was so cool. Yes, literally cool, but it was a really cool thing to do.
As Lauren was running late, I chatted to anyone and everyone and ended up making friends with a lovely couple from Canberra who had forgotten to take their camera, so I offered to take some photos of them with mine and send copies to them. Brian was a character and ended up eating his glass, as he correctly stated, there were no nibbles provided. You would think for NZD25 for half an hour and one drink there might be at least a peanut to eat, but then you do need two hands to hold your drink, and your hands are enclosed in woollen gloves, so it might get a little messy.
I enjoyed two drinks; the first that came with the price of admission, was the ‘Arctic Sunrise’ – Absolute vodka, cointreau, pineapple juice and passionfruit pulp. The second drink which cost an extra NZD12 was the ‘Morning Frost’ – Absolute Vanilla, peach schnapps, peach juice, mango juice and passionfruit pulp. Both drinks were Y.U.M.M.Y! It was a little pricey, but it was a great experience, and we did have a great half hour; and I have made some new friends. :)
At the end of the half hour, as you leave the bar, because the ice glasses don’t fair too well in the dishwasher, you get to smash them in a bin as you leave, it all adds to the experience.
You are invited into a world of ancient birdlife, plant life and dinosaurs, yes, that’s right, I said dinosaurs. I arrived just in time to see the conservation show where I met the endangered birds and creatures who have roamed New Zealand’s forests and shorelines for thousands of years. Presented by experienced zoologist, in an intimate enclosed environment, the show ran for 20 minutes. I was sitting quite comfortably in the first row of the show when the lovely little Kea – the world’s only alpine parrot, nearly collided with my head as it flew to the back of the enclosure. It was a shame I had just put my camera down, otherwise I would have had a great shot, Elke-eye-view of the bird, if you will. Even the demonstrator commented on what a close call it was. I was thinking I was the endangered one here, not the bird.
At the end of the show, you have the opportunity to get a closer look at the tuatara, which is a lizard like animal that has been living on the islands that are New Zealand for 235 million years and is the only living dinosaur. This fascinating animal is all alone in the world, its relatives all died over 60 million years ago, but it does have something that no others have, and that is a third eye. The third eye is located on the top of its head and as the animal gets older, skin covers the third eye concealing it from view. The Tuatara can still see shadows that pass over its head, which would come in handy if being attacked from the sky (possibly an attack from a killer alpine parrot).
At the end of the conservation show, you can stay and watch an authentic Maori experience and be transported through the mists of time to relive New Zealand’s distant past with the indigenous Maori cultural performers of Kiwi Weka. This compelling and interactive live show brings to life the tribal traditions and proud heritage on New Zealand’s first human inhabitants through the spine-tingling Haka, centuries-old action songs, skilful poi dances (my personal favourite) and much more.
I wish I hadn’t stayed to watch the cultural performance, not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because I had seen something similar on my first night in Queenstown and I didn’t realise how big the birdlife park was, and I only had a limited time before I was due elsewhere. After the cultural performance, I headed straight over to the darkened Kiwi hut where I had the opportunity to see kiwis fossicking for food. It takes 5 -10 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark of the Kiwi hut, but once they do you have the chance to witness this rare nocturnal bird going about its business.
After the darkness of the Kiwi Hut it was back out into the sunshine for a stroll around the lush gardens, this is where I ran out of time. You can wander the paths of the 8 acres of the park listening to a specially recorded audio tour getting to know the local flora and fauna.
On the way out of the park, there is a retail centre for you to buy all of your New Zealand gifts and souvenirs. I did make time for shopping. :)
