Day One - Queenstown here we come....

We gave ourselves plenty of time to get to the airport by leaving home at 8am,even though it was a public holiday.

We pre-booked a car park in the Business Parking at Domestic Terminal.  Although it is more expensive the park is much closer and under cover.  $64 for 7 days so much cheaper than a taxi each way which would be at least $70.     We managed to get a park on the first floor right by the air-bridge.   We couldn't use a disabled park as we needed to take the mobility card with us - besides it was conned off!!!

Check-in was easy.  The Air NZ staff member was very help and got us sorted quickly even escorting us to the oversize baggage area.  Next stop was for a decent coffee and while I was waiting for Pete to arrive with the coffee I started to wonder where we had put the boarding passes.   It was then we discovered we didn't have boarding passes!   Somehow the lady had not bothered to give us!   So off trotted Pete back down the terminal to get new ones printed.  Apparently the lady who served us was off looking for us!   (we never saw her)

Our flight was allocated Gate 28 which Pete suspected we would not have an air-bridge meaning I would have to be 'craned' on.   Oh joy, at least the weather was fine!       We decided it would be sensible to go thru to Gate 28 and sure enough no air-bridge.      We found a seat for a short while before using the conveniences as the flight was nearly 2 hours so using the on-board facilities was not something I wanted to attempt.        

When we emerged the departure lounge was full to bursting as the area was shared by two Gates and the other flight was Jetstar.      We decided the best tactic was to stand by the boarding desk.    When the Air NZ staff member arrived things seemed a bit disorganised and no one had booked the 'forklift'    Didn't take long to sort thank goodness.       Once we had the 'all go' signal we headed out.   I decided it was easier to stand for the very short time involved than sitting of the tiny low transit chair and have to be lifted.   Pete had a week of lifting me ahead of us, so one less is good for both of us.

We had been allocated quite good seats on Airbus 320 – 3A 3B with spare seat so no one would have to be crammed in with us.  Air NZ are very good blocking a seat in a row three when the flight was not completely full.    The Airbus was quite comfortable in the domestic fit out.   We seemed to have so much more room between the seats as there is no entertainment systems in the backs of the seats etc.  

During the flight we were given the usual coffee and nibbles but then the flight became bumpy flight, so much so we needed covers on the coffees, then the staff we told to stow their service carts!   Thanks goodness that didn't last too long.

Apart from the bumps the flight went smoothly and once below the clouds the as we approached Queenstown the views were spectacular.  Not that we could really work out where we were!

On arrival we had to do the forklift thing again but this time in a rather windy and chilly 9 degrees!!   Eek.

Julie and Dave were waiting for us.  On the way to collect the baggage we called by Thrifty Cars so Pete could sign up as the second driver, after which Dave handed the keys!    Well Pete did volunteer!!

First stop -checked in at Kingsgate. Our Room is 111 on the ground floor with a courtyard.  The bed is Kingsize. The Bathroom large (read huge) and user friendly.  Overall the room was large.   However the Deck/courtyard not accessible as there was a huge step down and no ramp.  So perfectly useless.

Step down to courtyard

View from ranchslider

Our Room from Ranchslider

From the doorway

The shower - plenty of room

Toilet and hand basing at the other end of the room

After dumping our stuff we drove to Arrowtown –  a quaint village sheltered from wind.   It was busy but even at 2pm we managed to find a nice spot for lunch - nothing flash - just a toasted sandwich which was just the ticket.

For there we wandered through the village but we found foot paths very dodgy particularly for the powerchair and lots of shops not accessible or very small.

It turned out the Monday was the final day celebrations of 150 years in Arrowtown.  And at one end, close to where we parked the car, a Mock Court being held outside one the pubs which was packed with locals    We  missed most of it only catching the end.

We drove back via Millbrook and to be totally honest it seemed rather over rated and along way from anything.   And from there we went to Kawarau Hackett Bungy Jump.   It is very accessible with a lift down to shop level - Pete and I did the lift while Julie and Dave walked down to long spiral walkway.    We watched some jumps and it seemed about one every minute - not bad at $180 a jump.  Park of the place under construction so I viewed from inside while the others went out.   I could only assume the accessible view point was the part under construction.  It was quite busy and highly commercial - photos, Dvds etc of each jump was more dollars.

Time to head back to the hotel via a drive around town centre.   We had been on the go so we called 'time out' at the Hotel.     The Hotel while accessible it is not really wheelchair friendly.    When parking in car park (on level 1.5) you have to take the lift to the 4^th floor go across to the floor to the other lift bank and down to get to level 1 for Reception and our room!    To get to the restaurant from our room take lift to 4 go across and take lift to 2!!

Like when we are cruising we had 5.30pm drinks, this time in Julie & Dave's room – great view from 4^th level.    The weather was not great so we did not venture onto the deck, mind you it wasn't accessible anyway!  

We decided to have dinner out so drove to town as it is too far to walk as it was too cold.  6 degrees.    Parking is metered and charged up to 6pm then free, so that is a bonus.  Found a park on the lake front and the views were spectacular.     We found a lot of restaurants closed as it was public holiday.    We decided on dining at the Waterfront Bar & restaurant which is part of one of the Casinos.   As ‘walk-ins’ we had no trouble getting table.  It was busy place but we noticed most were walk-ins.  We were impressed with food.  We ordered the pizza with type of humus for starters – very yummy.     For mains, Julie & Pete had the Guinness Pie, Dave the Beef Thai Salad, I had the Risotto – beautiful bit I should have had the entree size.

At 8.45 it was just getting to get dark and we were pooped so headed back for an early night!