On Sunday morning we headed south from Franz Josef, stopping at Lake Matheson for a short walk and views of Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. 
Having seen some of the heaviest rain we had seen in years over the previous 24 hours, the weather had cleared up well and whilst still overcast it was dry and relatively clear. We drove back over the Southern Alps, this time via the suprisingly easy-to-drive Haast Pass to the small and picturesque town of Wanaka which had a distinctly Alpine feel. Here we walked a round circuit via the summit of the 540m high Mt
Iron for superb views over Lake Wanaka, Lake Haewa and the Mt Aspiring National Park. In the late afternoon we arrived in Queenstown, so called 'Adventure Capital of the World'. The town is very touristy but beautifully situated on a lake with towering snow-capped mountains surrounding it. 
It was quite busy so after finding some accommodation we headed into town and booked activities for the following day. Ash booked himself onto the 134m Nevis bungy, the highest in New Zealand. Bi booked on as a spectator as she had firmly decided that she would draw the line at plunging off a small ledge with only an elastic band tied to her ankles! We also booked onto the 'Shotover Jet' for the afternoon, another must-do activity here in Queenstown.
By this point Bi looked nervous. She had decided that if she was ever going to do a bungy, this was the place to do it and it was now or never! She bravely signed up and then because she was the lightest person in the group she had to nervously wait for the next 40 minutes watching before it was her turn... last of all! Feeling nauseous and terrified Bi was strapped to the bungy cord and shuffled out onto the platform edge. They say don't look down but 
curiosity means you can't help it and it is terrifying and after a few looks down Bi packed it. The AJ Hacket guide did a few countdowns..3...2..1.... and when Bi still didn't move from the platform both him and Ash did a bit of gentle coaxing. This all happened over about 15 seconds and then Bi just plunged herself off the platform.... nothing graceful, no outstrestched arms or swan dives like Ash had done, just pure terror and the reality that she should just go for it. 
It would only last 10 seconds and then be over and would be an experience to remember! Bi screamed like a baby all the way to the bottom but as soon as the bungy cord pulled her back up her arms were out waving and she was 'woohooing' at what she had just done!! After all that fear, she really loved it...the worst bit was taking the leap of faith off the platform but after that.. wow.. what a feeling!
Having seen some of the heaviest rain we had seen in years over the previous 24 hours, the weather had cleared up well and whilst still overcast it was dry and relatively clear. We drove back over the Southern Alps, this time via the suprisingly easy-to-drive Haast Pass to the small and picturesque town of Wanaka which had a distinctly Alpine feel. Here we walked a round circuit via the summit of the 540m high Mt
Iron for superb views over Lake Wanaka, Lake Haewa and the Mt Aspiring National Park. In the late afternoon we arrived in Queenstown, so called 'Adventure Capital of the World'. The town is very touristy but beautifully situated on a lake with towering snow-capped mountains surrounding it. 
It was quite busy so after finding some accommodation we headed into town and booked activities for the following day. Ash booked himself onto the 134m Nevis bungy, the highest in New Zealand. Bi booked on as a spectator as she had firmly decided that she would draw the line at plunging off a small ledge with only an elastic band tied to her ankles! We also booked onto the 'Shotover Jet' for the afternoon, another must-do activity here in Queenstown.This morning, Monday, we were at the AJ Hackett terminal by 9.45am and after a few paperwork and weighing-in formalities we boarded a bus for the 45 minute journey to the Nevis Highwire Bungy. The platform is suspended across a deep river canyon with the river running approximately 150m below. As we were both going out to the platform we were both harnessed up and weighed again. Bi was also weighed in case she decided to change from being a spectator to a jumper. 
We got into a small cage that took us out to the mid-point above the canyon and transferred onto the platform. The jumps were carried out in order from heaviest person first. Before Ash knew it he was being harnessed up and attached to the bungy cord as the first jumper in our group of 10. It was a nerve-wracking moment. After being carefully tied in, Ash shuffled to the edge of the platform. Bi was shaking just watching! The hardest part was standing on the ledge with the huge drop below. The AJ Hackett guy lowered the bungy cord which felt like it weighed a ton and you could feel it pulling you off the edge. The instructor went 3-2-1 and..... Ash stayed on the platform! A moment later he jumped and woohoooed all his way on the 8.5 seconds freefall to the bottom, only 20m above the canyon floor, before bouncing half-way back up and then doing it all over again. He was still 'woohooing' at the bottom! It all happened very quickly and the rebound wasn't nearly as bad or as much of a jolt as it looks. It was awesome and Ash had a huge grin on his face being reeled back up into the platform.
We got into a small cage that took us out to the mid-point above the canyon and transferred onto the platform. The jumps were carried out in order from heaviest person first. Before Ash knew it he was being harnessed up and attached to the bungy cord as the first jumper in our group of 10. It was a nerve-wracking moment. After being carefully tied in, Ash shuffled to the edge of the platform. Bi was shaking just watching! The hardest part was standing on the ledge with the huge drop below. The AJ Hackett guy lowered the bungy cord which felt like it weighed a ton and you could feel it pulling you off the edge. The instructor went 3-2-1 and..... Ash stayed on the platform! A moment later he jumped and woohoooed all his way on the 8.5 seconds freefall to the bottom, only 20m above the canyon floor, before bouncing half-way back up and then doing it all over again. He was still 'woohooing' at the bottom! It all happened very quickly and the rebound wasn't nearly as bad or as much of a jolt as it looks. It was awesome and Ash had a huge grin on his face being reeled back up into the platform. 
By this point Bi looked nervous. She had decided that if she was ever going to do a bungy, this was the place to do it and it was now or never! She bravely signed up and then because she was the lightest person in the group she had to nervously wait for the next 40 minutes watching before it was her turn... last of all! Feeling nauseous and terrified Bi was strapped to the bungy cord and shuffled out onto the platform edge. They say don't look down but 
curiosity means you can't help it and it is terrifying and after a few looks down Bi packed it. The AJ Hacket guide did a few countdowns..3...2..1.... and when Bi still didn't move from the platform both him and Ash did a bit of gentle coaxing. This all happened over about 15 seconds and then Bi just plunged herself off the platform.... nothing graceful, no outstrestched arms or swan dives like Ash had done, just pure terror and the reality that she should just go for it. 
It would only last 10 seconds and then be over and would be an experience to remember! Bi screamed like a baby all the way to the bottom but as soon as the bungy cord pulled her back up her arms were out waving and she was 'woohooing' at what she had just done!! After all that fear, she really loved it...the worst bit was taking the leap of faith off the platform but after that.. wow.. what a feeling!Pumped with adrenaline and armed with our dvd's and our free t-shirts we boarded the minibus back to Queenstown where we grabbed a quick lunch and then checked in for our ride on the 'Shotover Jet'. We boarded another minibus and travelled 10 minutes out 
of town to a beatuiful canyon area. We were given waterproofs and lifejackets before boarding the jet boat. After a very short briefing the jetboat literally took off through the canyon, racing at speeds of up to 80kmh over inch-deep water in places and whizzing right up past the canyon sides. The driver would wave his finger to signal we were doing a 360 and we grabbed hold of the heated handrail (the only luxury but well needed as it was bitterly cold!) and then would spin the boat in a full 360 on the spot, spraying water and looking like we were going to stop by crashing into the sides of the canyon. After 20 minutes we were pretty cold and wet but it was great fun.
of town to a beatuiful canyon area. We were given waterproofs and lifejackets before boarding the jet boat. After a very short briefing the jetboat literally took off through the canyon, racing at speeds of up to 80kmh over inch-deep water in places and whizzing right up past the canyon sides. The driver would wave his finger to signal we were doing a 360 and we grabbed hold of the heated handrail (the only luxury but well needed as it was bitterly cold!) and then would spin the boat in a full 360 on the spot, spraying water and looking like we were going to stop by crashing into the sides of the canyon. After 20 minutes we were pretty cold and wet but it was great fun. After our first ever bungy, and the highest one at that, we are treating ourselves to a celebratory dinner out tonight in Queenstown. Then it will be early to bed because we are both pooped from all the adrenaline!
Tomorrow we will drive the scenic route to Milford Sound.
