Queenstown Balloon Flight | Shotover Jet | Shotover Canyon Swing
Coasterz 'n' Canyonz Blog Day 16
Up, Down, and Round and Around We had a balloon flight booked for yesterday, but the weather was against us. We didn't mention our disappointment on the blog, because we knew we had 2 more mornings where we might fly and this morning we did our first balloon flight.
Up
Up before sunrise (5.30am!!!) and a short drive to the launch site, just a few miles out of Queenstown.
Our balloon awaits!
Ian helps with the balloon inflation.
Starting to take shape.
Getting bigger......
Added warmth takes the chill off the morning air.
We're soon ready to take our place in the basket.
Not too tired then Adrian!
Add some more hot air..
and we say a temporary farewell to our ground crew.
Rock, our pilot, takes us safely skybound.
and we slowly gain altitude in time with the sunrise.
As ever, the scenery in New Zealand doesn't disappoint.
And gently even higher.
Time for a photo op (that's us on the left!!)
Up to 5000 feet and it's so peaceful, except for the odd top-up of hot air.
We can see for miles.
Even looking down at passing aircraft!
Adrian seems to be waking up slowly!
The town below gives a good sense of height.
After almost an hour, we descend in preparation for landing.. 
And Rock gently returns us to earth.
Once down, everyone helps with packing up the balloon..
Before a champagne breakfast.
Ian has a little too much Champagne!In summary, this was an indulgence we had been promising to do for years, and this holiday seemed like the perfect time to do it. We can't think of a more perfect location for a balloon flight and are so grateful the weather was good to us during our stay here. Many thanks to all the staff at Sunrise Balloons who made the experience so special. We will never forget it.
Down
Once our ballooning was over, it was back to Queenstown for our second activity of the day, this time The Shotover Canyon Swing. At 109m high (60m free-fall) this is billed as the world's highest cliff jump.
Adrian didn't think the swing quite lived up to the hype!
Oh, wrong swing - now that's high!
They encourage many different styles to start the swing including pairing...
Jumping....
(circle shows scale of jumper in the canyon)
..and the chair (rocking backwards while sitting on a garden chair!)
Not too sure what this style was... Legs Akimbo maybe?
"I'm getting away from this place!"So how did it compare to the other swings on the trip? Well, about the same feeling as the Mokai Gravity Canyon but let down by the staff. At other sites, including AJ Hackett, Taupo, Mokai etc. the staff know that the participants will be naturally apprehensive about doing the jump etc. We've witnessed jump masters spending time (up to 15 minutes) talking through concerns with worried participants - they want you to do it and will help you as much as they can. Here the staff seemed more interested in amusing themselves with your nerves and intimidating you into feeling inferior for being scared before your jump. That said, the swing itself was very good, and the setting unbelievable, but we could have done with being treated more like customers and less like idiots.
Round and Around
As if that wasn't enough today, we just had enough time to try out the world famous Shotover Jet.
Again, another stunning location.
The Jet Boats are designed to operate in as little as 5-10cm of water...
and they go very fast, very close....
... and around in circles!
Adrian, late afternoon, after a 5.30am start!
What the f#*% do we look like?
Ah, not alone then!
Spot the Brit's!Again, we had seen this a few years ago on breakfast TV and knew we wanted to try it one day. It turned out to be very similar to a coaster ride, but without the security of being locked to rails! Highly recommended and back to nice friendly staff again.
Wow - what a day! We're both knackered but still maxing out every minute of the holiday.
Until tomorrow.........
