On the Road to Queenstown (3/13/09)

We spent the last two days working so that we could enjoy this weekend. Today, we got up early today and headed to Queenstown on the “Atomic Bus”, a 7+ hour bus ride. Sounds horrible? Actually, it was not bad at all. We had the front seat of a very uncrowded, comfortable bus and talked the whole time with a very friendly driver while we admired gorgeous scenery (see pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27117889@N08/?saved=1). There was such variety in terrain: farmland, cows, sheep, deer, green valleys, brown valleys, lakes with teal-colored water that looked fake because it was so unreal, snow covered mountains….Once we arrived, we walked around the quaint town, bought souvenirs, and then visited the Minus 5 Bar. It is a bar that is completely made of ice (18-23 degrees), including the drinking glasses (see pictures). They serve ONLY vodka drinks. They give you heavy duty parkas, gloves, etc. and allow you to stay for 30 minutes. We made it for 20. Tomorrow, we leave at 6:30 am (no rest for the weary) and go to Milford Sound and will take a boat ride on a fjord. Stay tuned!