My Queenstown Bucket list

We got on the plane, got paid work and found a home for the next six months. Now what?  This is a question I've been asking myself a lot lately. What do I want from my time in Queenstown? What activities do I have to do before I leave?  After much consideration, this is my list.

• Paraglide. From my bedroom window I can see the para-gliders jump off the gondola area and all I can think is 'you lucky bastards!' - Done! 22/04/13 from coronet peak!!!!

• Learn to Snowboard. This is the big one and the main reason I'm in Queenstown. I'm not looking to join the Olympic squad, just good enough not to hurt myself

• Go to the Ice bar - always wanted to try one of these places

• Go out on the lake aboard the steamboat TSS Earnslaw 

• Go up on the Gondola

• Have a go on the luge

• Attend the winter festival - Done 21/06/13 I saw fireworks and everthing!

• Walk the Ben Lomond track

• Visit Wanaka. - Done 16/07/13. A trip with my fantastic family members

• See Arrowtown in Fall - Done 28/04/13!

• Take a glide out on the ice rink. - Done. Turns out to be one of the scariest things I've ever done.

There are a lot of things to do in Queenstown and this is just a shortlist.  Has anyone else been to Queenstown? If so am I missing an essential activity off my list? All ideas welcome!

Fantasy travel wishlist

Money. Along with imagination and information, money is a primary factor of where and how long you can travel.  Sometimes I like to play the 'if I won the lottery' game, where I plan how I'd spend the money. I've never bought a lottery ticket but still, its great to dream.
So what would I do in 2013 if money was no problem?  This ladies and gents, is my ultimate travel journeys.

1. Sail to the Antarctic aboard a Tall ship.  I first heard about The Europa and its voyages to Antarctica,  I was hooked on the idea.  Visiting the white continent is definitely on my wishlist. And if I won the lottery, I could afford to do it in style.

2. Trans-Siberian railway: Beijing to Moscow. I'd take my time, stopping off in Mongolia (one of the countries I'm kind of obsessed with), before making my way through the Russian lands.

3. The American dream. Its been in recent years that I've had a desire to visit the land of opportunity. And if I had the finance, I'd buy a decent pick up truck, put a swag in the back and zig zag across america.

4. South America baby. I'd learn to Tango in Argentina, drink lots of wine in Chile, drive across salt flats in bolivia and see ancient cities in Peru.  And as money is no problem, I'd do a Spanish language course too!

5. Volunteering in Kenya.  Helping out in an area in need and improving the lives of others is some thing I'm interested in for my future. And if I had the money, I'd use some of it improve conservation and also the health care of people less fortunate than myself.  The next time I'd do volunteering, I would want to do it for at least 6 months.

I truly believe that if I put my mind to it, I can do all these things in my life time. However, without a windfall, it may take a while...


* Pictures courtesy of www.barkeuropa.com, www.penguintravel.com, www.fellsho.com, perutips.wordpress.com, and pinterest.com