18/9/2011
Hello! Another day of adrenaline and adventure in Queenstown! My brother and I checked in at The Station building in the town centre for our bungy. We were there really early and waited for about 40 minutes before the bus came to pick us up. There are three bungy sites in New Zealand. One is the Ledge, the other is the Nevis and finally the Kawarau Bridge. I did the Ledge bungy last year and this time I tried the Kawarau Bridge with my brother.
In the building waiting to check-in.
Relaxing on the soft bean-filled cushion while waiting for the bus.
This girl looks really nervous or something. Probably so because she's attempting the Nevis, or Queenstown's highest bungy.
Left for the Kawarau Bridge site after 40 minutes of waiting.
The drive from Queenstown to the jumping site was approximately 30 minutes. We did another check-in again at the Kawarau site, this time taking our weights. Then we proceeded to the bridge and waited for our turn to jump. My brother went first, and I went after him. The cord was attached to the bottom of my legs tightly and had to hop slightly over to the edge of the platform. Looking down was indeed nerve wrecking. Much scarier than you'd think it is until you actually looked down from the edge of the platform yourself.
The bridge over the valley taken from the bus.
The driver leading us into the building.
Walking down the long spiral stairs down to the bottom of the building.
Interesting sign for the toilet! Maybe the males should try peeing in this position, hah.
Checking-in at the Kawarau Bridge site. We took our weight here for the jump.
Nearing the platform for the jump!
Kawarau River under the bridge.
Going to be dropping off the platform here.
There were two girls doing a tandem jump before mine, and they screamed like they were having the fright of their lives. Watched how the staff at the platform talked to them and calmed them down. But the two girls didn't budge even after counting 5-4-3-2-1 for them for 3 times. Finally one of the staff got bored and pretended to have a conversation with them then giving a nudge and they dropped off the platform!
So my turn was next. Followed their instructions and they were doing the procedural thing of wrapping a towel around the legs with a kind of system and then tying and hooking several cables and strings before giving me the cue to get ready at the platform. Being tied up at the legs, I had to hop over to the edge and tried not to look down for too long, lest the fear creeps in. The guy counted down from 5 and off I jump when it reached 1!
Me giving a thumbs up to the camera trying not to look down!
JUMP.
I was being lowered into this inflatable boat after the jump and rowed back to shore.
The feeling of adrenaline and euphoria was great! Bungy jumping is really addictive which makes me feel like doing more, if it weren't for the expensive cost. Anyway, after my jump, I went back up to the top to meet my brother and then going back to the building to collect our free t-shirt and the set of photos and DVD.
The spectator's viewing area.
We waited a while for our bus driver before heading back to Queenstown. After the adrenaline from the bungy earlier, we had to go for an adventure in the backcountry of New Zealand. So we attempted the Ben Lomond track which will lead all the way to the summit of Ben Lomond, which was at 1747 meters above sea level. We started by taking the gondola up to the top station and walking to the track from there.
Up the gondola looking back at Queenstown.
The commonly seen yellow-green sign from DOC indicating the start of the track.
Another sign pole showing multiple walking tracks.
The track is a difficult one with some parts technical and with lots of undulating terrain. There was still snow remaining which became more and much thicker as we walked higher up. It became difficult and tiring from walking on snow which drains my energy faster than walking on soil or flat terrain. That, plus its steep uphill climb, made it a tough walk. But the views up there were rewarding and made the walk all worth it. The snow covered most of the walking track which made it harder to navigate so we followed the footprints of two other hikers in front of us. At some points, instead of the track leading up a steep slope, it was cutting across the slope which was a little scary thinking what would have happen if I lose a footing and fell down the slope.
More snow as we walked up.
Looking at Lake Wakatipu from the track.
Traversing through the snow-covered track.
Me resting somewhere along the track having lunch, and admiring Queenstown and the surroundings from high up.
My brother ahead up the snow filled slope.
My footprints imprinted onto the fresh snow.
At Ben Lomond saddle, with the sign telling us it was still an hour more to the summit.
We passed the Ben Lomond saddle and turned left to the track that leads to the summit. After climbing it to about 100 odd meters below the summit, we had to turn back as we met two european guys (I think Italian guessing from their accent) telling us that it was very technical and not too safe to attempt the summit as the ground was unstable from the snow and it's too steep and we had to go on all fours to climb up. So we heeded their advice and turned back. They turned back too after trying to climb the last portion of it too.
Came across another bench with an even awesome-r view!
The peak of Ben Lomond.
My brother collecting the snow in his bottle.
We kinda took the wrong route and was scrambling up the steepest path we have came across so far.
Although we didn't get to reach the summit, the view from near the top was just a good. Plus the tiring long walk we had earlier made the view even more rewarding. But I'd recommend doing this walk in summer when all the snow had melted to make it easier and less tiring. The tracks would be more visible too.
My brother and I near the highest point we reached before turning back down. Thanks to the two European guys who helped to take this photo (below)!
Using the snow to wash off dirt and mud off the pants.
Lake Wakatipu with Double Cone (far, left) and Cecil Peak (far, right) mountains. Queenstown is actually at the corner of the lake but is hidden by the hill in the middle.
Southern Alps of New Zealand stretching hundreds of kilometers northwards.
Descending down.
So after our long and tiring walk, we were back to the gondola station. We went to the viewing deck to take a look at the Queenstown skyline before heading back down.
A bunch of people planking at the walkway next to the Luge track.
The famous Queenstown view from the skyline lookout point.
Once back at the bottom, we went to PJ's again for dinner as promised. The counter guy recommended the seafood basket but I didn't take that as I didn't like the seafood dishes that was inside it. So he recommended the Cajun Chicken burger and I gladly took that. My brother had the Seafood Basket. It was really good and worth the money spent after a good long hike.
Inside PJ's!
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