Flight into Queenstown

After our long haul flight, we went through an incredibly thorough customs check. The customs officials went so far as to wash the dirt off our hiking boots to prevent any contamination of the environment.

After a quick snack and beer, we boarded the flight to Queenstown. Crossing the country from north to south, the topology started to change from the rolling green landscapes to rugged mountains. As we approached Queenstown, we passed the snowcapped Southern Alps, and New Zealand's tallest mountain, Mt. Cook, all with the ocean in the background. The descent featured green meadows lodged between hills and mountains. The flight itself was quite memorable and a great intro to the south island.

We picked up a rental car and headed to our hotel. Diving on the left hand side was easier the second time around, following the adventures in South Africa. The scenery around the town is pretty incredible, with steep mountains surrounding Lake Wakatipu.Read more