We ended up having adventures even on our way to adventures. We almost ran out of gas going from Hoki to Wanaka. It was quite a bit of a tense 45 min that we handled the only way we know how with grace and laughter. Our gaslight had been on for a bit and we were the only ones on the road so no help in either direction. Luckily with Maggie’s great driving skills and little use of the break we made it. We quite literally rolled into the gas station, which we hoped was opened. Last time we needed this gas station they were closed. Luckily they were opened this time. We made it to Arrowtown and got to spend the night at our favorite campsite, Lake Haze.
The next day it was time to swing. We decided (by we I mean I was peer pressured into it by Maggie) to go and do the Nevis Swing, the world’s biggest swing. We rode a bus to the site and were immediately out of place. To be honest Mags and I rarely feel in place so we are use to it. But we were on a bus with all these hipster cool people all looking the same with their snapbacks and sunglasses (it wasn’t that sunny) and wearing pajama wear (or maybe that’s the style now, we wouldn’t know). I was doing fine until we got to the platform. This meant I watched about 4 people go before it was our turn. And honestly that was a bad idea it’s not a nice calm swing it’s more of just a drop. They just use the term swing as a ploy. We were up next, they strapped us in had us dangling over the edge, took the photos. We were sitting there just waiting to be dropped then they pulled us back in. Something was wrong with the swing. They did tests and they called other people over to look at it. They attached a cinder block to the swing and set it off, they did this twice. Then they called us back up. Now I’m going to let you in on a very known secret… I weigh quite a bit more then a cinder block, not to mention I was also attached to another human. I asked like maybe should you send a human test subject before we go. Nope we were the human test subjects. Then there we were again dangling. They asked if we wanted a count down or just a surprise…I of course didn’t get to answer because Mags jumped at the chance to yell surprise.
Then we were dropped, I can’t really tell you if I yelled or not (Mags said I did which I fully believe), but it made me feel better because Maggie screamed on the way down as well. It really wasn’t horrible after those 1st 3 seconds. We had a good time swinging back and forth then they pulled us back up. We it the bar and then there was a little jump from the machine, to which I quickly let out a yelp. (to make sense of this reaction you must know I once went bungee jumping with a friend under duress and we jumped off the bridge and I screamed bloody murder while essentially clawing at my poor friend. They pulled us back up and acted like they were going to take off all the strap things. But nope they were just checking it to pull a surprise attack and push us off again. I was not pleased, so I thought it was another one of those type deals). They did give us hats though which is good because we had 4 days until shower day and our hair was not something that others needed to see. I gave my last hat away to this lovely Irish girl who was burnt to a crisp, she needed it way more than me. So have been hatless for a bit now.
We made it back to town and treated ourselves to some Fergburger and gelato (they were having a promotion). We were so full. Not Lolita’s unlimited taco night full, but a little more than any average outing to the Cheesecake Factory. Let me tell ya find a friend who understands what it feels like to be so full it’s hard to breathe; those people have yet to let me down, Mags being one of those great people! We ended up walking some laps before we got back in the car.
The next morning we were off to Invercargill in Southland, why we are going there we are not sure, but alas we are. We stopped in Lumsden at this fantastic café, Route 6 Café and Bar. They have really good food, music and very American style-ish. They have Cadillacs all over the place and try to make it very diner like. They even brought in booths from the states and have a car set up as the bar, super cute.
My phone is clearly on its way out.
I know super stellar photos. You would never guess I did this for a profession.
In Invercargill we went on to see some lighthouses, we love a good lighthouse. We actually did research this time so tides wouldn’t get in our way. However when we looked up the Waipapa Point Lighthouse, it was well quite ugly, but that didn’t stop us. After and hour drive we pulled up to the really beautiful lighthouse. Google apparently hast gotten an updated picture of the lighthouse. It was actually one of the better lighthouses we have seen here in NZ. Then we went to try to see the lighthouse in Bluff but it was actually on an island off the coast so we couldn’t actually get there, what a let down.
We spent the night in a super small town, but apparently where there is a small town there are lots of bogans(NZ version of hooligans but way less harmless than a hooligan). Usually we are all about bogans, they can be a lot of fun but when you are just trying to sleep and there is a party happening late at night our old crotchety side comes out. Arg those darn kids. Now we are on our way back to Queenstown because our friend Maddie is hitting the town to party with a few friends and we are going to join. Yeah this does sound exhausting Maggie and I are far from youngins but man we will do it to hang out with Maddie!
End Notes
Skydiving is way better than the swing or bungee jumping. But the swing really wasn't all that bad!
The people at the swing we playing music and for everyone else it was very much upbeat pop rap rock music that is popular on the radio. When we stepped up they felt Fleetwood Mac was more appropriate. And I had to agree good ol' Stevie always calms a person.
I can't wait for a really crunchy pickle when I get back to the States.
Now that I have jumped out and off of many of things for Maggie. It is only fair that she gets scuba certified to explore the water with me.