#TheFlightToQueenstown

My bag had been packed for an entire week as I had counted down to the last minute our trip to New Zealand. Ever since seeing pictures of the beautiful scenery in a travel mag when I was at high school, it has been top of my travel bucket list.
Our journey began in Dee Why as we caught the bus to Manly. I took a bus selfie. Then the ferry took another one, on the train I got a few odd looks as I snapped another photo of our excited faces and then finally we made it to the airport! We checked in our bags and went through security. I got stopped AGAIN to be tested for narcotics! I obviously have a druggy look about me with my curly ginger hair and glittery sandals.

We hopped on the plane-plane selfie! And got out our various Kindles and papers to keep us entertained on the flight.
Not yet bored of selfies, I turned the snapchat filter on that gives you little, fluffy dear ears and snapped a pic of my dad looking less than

amused!

The journey went quickly as I read my book, snacked on everything in sight and napped with my new cat eye mask! (Lookin goood!) As we got closer I began checking the window for signs of land beneath us. I didn’t have to wait long to see a litter of mountains spreading across the land topped with a glittering of snow just to make them even more attractive!

We landed in Queenstown expecting a drastic temperature change from Sydney’s 40 degree burn. As I stepped off the plane I prepared to shiver in the predicted 13 degree freeze when a gust of hot wind blew across my face. It was boiling! The last time I had felt that wave of heat was when we stepped off the plane in Dubai at 6 in the morning!

The second thing to hit me was the view. Surrounding us were clay coloured mountains and burnt orange grasses. A 360 degree turn confirmed that this is the view to expect for the foreseeable future. Next was a quick stop to grocery shop and then we headed to our cottage.

The land is completely unspoilt by buildings or houses, only the occasional unkempt sheep on display to ruin the aesthetics! In the car the entire journey was punctuated by us “wow! Look at that!”
“Look over there!”
“How amazing!”
Our cameras snapping frantically

at each new impressive sight.

We arrived at our cottage and WOW! It was a small stone building on a wine vineyard surrounded again by mountains and fields! Bonus points- no unsightly sheep! Just fields and fields of beautiful vines standing in rows while little bunnies hopped around them. The garden was decorated with a wine press and various pots and plants. At first I thought I was locked out of the cottage and expected to sleep amongst the vines but I was just trying the wrong door. The cottage itself was adorable with just an open plan lounge, kitchen bedroom and a ladder leading to another double bed on a raised platform. “Oh god! I’m going to fall and die in my sleep!”

We unpacked the car in a haste to get the cheese and wine out ready for a sundowner and gathered on the little balcony to watch the sun go down. After enjoying a peaceful evening it was time for bed. I climbed the wooden ladder to the top and climbed under the soft duvet. My eyes drifted into a serene “Haaa Chooo! Ahhh Choooooo (snort, splutter, cough!) my roommates appeared to have other ideas for me as their colds had them playing a very un-peaceful harmony of snores and coughs throughout the night!

Not enjoying the melody, I plugged my earphones in and let Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron take over the vocals in their soundtrack from ‘The Greatest Showman’.