Day 8 - NZ

Cookie says...
Whilst we weren't game to head to Cardrona today, we weren't too keen to be stuck in the unit again after yesterdays effort so we headed out and about. First stop was to get some brunch from Fergbaker and on to some Frisbee golf. We were all equally ordinary at it, especially when the disks aren't the same disks you use when playing ultimate disk, so the end result was pretty close.

I was at a distinct disadvantage but I still won!

After a bit of a break back at the base, we headed back out for a spot of mini golf. Mikey had been itching to visit this place ever since Luke had raved about it so it was time to see what the fuss is all about.

No surprise this was my favourite hole.

It was certainly one of the most detailed of courses but it wasn't suited to my putting skillz. I might have lost but I prefer to think that I got better value for my money.

It was a long game...

For dinner it was Fergburger and it was busy as usual.

Mikey says...
Today was golf day. Frisbee Golf and then Mini Golf. I was pretty much amazing at both but held myself back to make the others fell not so... loserish.


I looove my super-slow-mo.

Dinner for me was a roast pork belly burger. Delish!!! Hopefully tomorrow we're all off to Cardrona and not just off.

Mim, Mikey has a confession to make!

Also hoping that we make it through the rest of the trip too as the food poisoning has given Cookie gas that is almost levitating him from the ground. Luckily none of us smoke or our doom would be almost certain.

Pilty says...
I still wasn't feeling the best, so wasn't going to be hitting the slopes today anyway. Was nice of the other guys to hang out with me instead (even if it was just to cover their softness). The day did however get better (unlike my stomach) with a couple of different versions of golf (which in itself I find very boring).

They let anyone busk with anything these days!

I had also been wanting to visit the indoor mini golf after doing some pre-trip research. I had also heard rumors that there was a second mini golf course on the other side of the road but it didn't look as good (perhaps next time?).

Fergburger food is sooo tasty! I choose a larger burger just to make up for the lack of eating yesterday. No wonder it is such a popular place.

Time to make up for yesterday!

Day 6 - NZ

Cookie says...
After a day off, it was good to get back on the snow. We headed back to Remarks today although it was an overcast day which meant flat light making it tricky to see the detail on the snow. Around lunch time a window of an hour opened where the sun broke through to allow some quick runs. Mikey had fun having a crack at some of the park boxes while Pilty loitered around the green runs.

Once home and showered, Pilty pretended to be domesticated and put on a load of washing before heading for dinner. Went to a seafood and steak joint for dinner. It never ceases to amaze me how odd Mikey can be. We sat down and after a while he started making the table creak and move the drinks and candle around. Very peculiar man.

Pilty putting the finishing touches to his new business.

Tomorrow Cardrona awaits!

Mikey says...
Back to the Remarkables today. It was pretty cloudy but not a bad day. I tried to do some of the fun boxes on the slopes and they went great until the end bit where you have to get off with out stacking it. Couldn't really get that bit down pat.

At this point he looked like things were under control.

Mikey showing off his skillz.

Dinner at HMS Britannia tonight. It was all we could manage as I was dressed as a chav and it was the only place that accepted chavs. Apparently it's not a restaurant but a real ship!!! The wooden table even creaked in the waves and the candle and glasses slid from side to side with the roll of the ship. Simply amazing!

Mim, I think Mikey's flaunting your rules!

Pilty says...
I managed 1785 vert metres today. No idea what that really means, but I went up and down a mountain 17 times. I also felt brave enough to try out the tunnel which was a step up for me. There is photo evidence of this occurrence and as far as I'm concerned, means I'm better than Cookie as there is no evidence he has achieved such a feat.

Pilty causing a traffic jam in the tunnel.

Day 4 - NZ

Cookie says...
Off to a slow start but we made it up to the Remarks. It was good to make it back here as I really enjoy some of the runs that hang off the Sugarbowl lift. I spent the first few hours here before checking up on the others and then heading over to the Shadow Bowl chair.

The view of Queenstown from the lookout near the Shadow Bowl chair.

The Shadow Bowl from the lookout.

I haven't spent much time over this side of the ski field. The only time I'd been here was on a closed in, windy and cold day and one run was enough for me however today was a blue bird and I could go quick, very quick.

This is from one of my faster runs.

One of the neat things that the electronic ticketing allows is tracking stats. Apparently I did almost twice the amount of vertical today as my first day with about the same number of runs. We continued the tradition of seeing cars in ditchesbut we didn't get a photo of it : (.

Back at the ranch we cracked out Settlers which Mikey closely won and then knocked up some bangers and mash. After some footy and readying, it was time to study the back of my eyelids.

Mikey says...
Up to the Remarks today and it was heaps of fun. I helped Pilty out a little bit on the beginner slope and then went off to the green runs. After lunch Pilty and I went up the chair lift and he did pretty well on his first run down. After that I left Pilty to practice and then tried to get as many runs in as possible before closing time. Have to beat Cookie with my stats! Shoulder feels okay as long at I don't put any pressure on it... which means it's okay to board. Woohoo!

Pilty says...
After almost drowning in a pool of my own sweat halfway through the night due to trying out a new discovery called the electric blanket (it was on the lowest setting!), I headed out with the guys to a place named after me - The Remarkables. I started on the easy slopes to renew my confidence and later on, guided by Mikey, did a few runs on a green slope. Won't be long until we put Cookie to shame. I only had one major stack; which Mikey managed to witness (I still maintain I did it just for his entertainment).

Day 11 - NZ

Quote of the Day
"Benny and I are now exclusive" - Morgan

Cookie says...
Last full day today. Before sleeping we decided it would be a full day on the hill. After falling asleep, we must have agreed that we'd sleep in. Didn't matter, it was typical of every other day and besides, we're on holidays. Popped into Macca's / Subway for breaky just like yesterday and then made tracks for Remarks.

It was on hold till 8 but it was open. It was raining in QT, sleeting around the 6km mark and snowing shortly after that. The report said chains for 2WD's at the 12km mark which was why I get AWD's so we were waved on through. There were a few cars passing us in the way down and made it to the second last turn before discovering why. For three years running now I have seen a car in the ditch... and we nearly joined them. At the corner we'd slowed to avoid the car and lost traction and started slipping... backwards... down the road... all good though. We were on snow. Could have been a different story if it had been ice!

This makes it a hatrick of car-in-a-ditch photos!

After backing down the road slowly, one of the Remarkables guys came past and ended up towing us up to the carpark during which we watched another car sail past us into another ditch. It was puking snow and blowing everywhere which would have made it a positively crumby morning on the field. The carpark dude had a guy down to help us with the chains and we made our way back down the hill.

Beno and Morgs texting God for help

We made it back to the fort and Beno headed out to do a few things. We had some stuff to pick up, met up with Ben and headed to Winnies for a late lunch.

Morgs and Ben sharing a quiet moment...
blisfully unaware that we were sharing the table with them

I hadn't done much time-lapse so I thought I'd give it a crack. Wasn't that great a location but that's okay, I stood out there freezing my bum of for a while before the others joined me. Once it was done we did a little souviner shopping and headed home to pack.

Day 9 - NZ

Cookie says...
I decided to have a rest day so that I wasn't worn out for heli tomorrow. Morgs and Beno however are keen on getting to Remarks. It was raining in town which was equating to snow up top. We drove them to the top and then started driving them down again. They'd packed their boards, snow gear and skirts. They wanted to pull the pin. So we started driving down again and all of a sudden I started feeling like a yo-yo because they changed their mind. Beno was whinging about the cold and snow but I told them they will enjoy themselves and we left them behind.

Gurti and I made tracks fo Arrowtown again. We had a bit of a walk around and had lunch at the bakery. Did some more walking and then headed back to our apartments.

Gurti with some light reading on the throne

Gurti slept on the couch for a few hours and I did some nerd stuff and a little random time-lapse. I got the call for the pickup and I asked them to bus it down the hill. I'd already driven up and down it once today but also, it sucks going against the traffic on that road. We met them at the base and took them home. Morg's then tells us how two chicks had noticed him on the bus. We thought cool, he might get on the tune but it turned out that one was medical chick from Coronet who looked after him when he hurt himself and the other was the chick from the hospital that wrote up that he shouldn't do anything active for 6 weeks and then start rehab.

After showering and stuff, we decided to sort out some shorts and hoodies we had talked about everyday since arriving. This time we actually finalised the design and lodged the order. They'll be right to pick up on the Thursday before we leave. While the guys were sorting out the details, I popped into see the heli dudes. Sadly, with the weather turning for the worse, they don't expect to be flying until after the weekend. GUTTED!!! As it was, the Monday was epic and I missed out on a seat because I didn't take a seat straight away on the Sunday but at that time, they felt there was a window for Wednesday. I was soo ticked off with myself. TWIT! Oh well, I'll make up for it next year somehow.

It was dinner time and we made our way to The Britannia. It was great. The inside of the building is decked (excuse the pun haha) out like you're on an English vessel. I ordered too much but being a Taurean, I stubbournly ate my way though my plates and went up a notch on my belt. Great food though.

Back to grand central where I wanted to drown my sorrows in ice cream and we called it a night.

How am I expected to drown my sorrows if
there's only one spoonful of ice cream left?

Day 8 - NZ

Cookie says...
Couldn't have asked for a nicer day for playing in the snow. Gurti decided to have a quiet one in so the boys went back up Remarks. Filled up at the Shell to find some guy had parked his car on the wrong side of the bowser. At some stage he had his foot on the car to help pull the hose closer to the car.

I call this: The Stubborness of Man

We arrived there 90 mins after first lift and we still managed to end up in the third line of cars in the second carpark. If we'd been on time we'd have had the hill to ourselves! We spent the day hanging around the Sugar Bowl lift doing a bunch of runs. Beno and Morgs had fun with the easier stuff while I enjoyed some quick ones.

Morgs motoring along

Here's a man on a mission... or a snowboard at least

I met up with them and had a crack at a jump a few times. I wanted to take it easy and five metres before the kicker on the first go 'What am I doing?' ran through my head.. I ended up getting more air than what I did after spending a day at the jumps last year.

Had to change my snowpants after this leap

We finished up with last lift, bailed and gave a hitcher a ride home. We found Gurti where we left her, in front of the TV. But she had been a busy body. Showers were in order and then we left for dinner.

The Cow was the destination and we were absolutely full afterwards.

The bar is a busy part of The Cow

Once again their bread didn't disappoint. We retreated to the batcave where we watched a 'quality' Segal movie before crashing for the night.

The Cow's bread is the bomb!

Day 6 - NZ

Cookie says...
Late rise today. Morgan did his own thing (probably sleeping again) while the rest of us were half-day Harry's as we didn't make it onto the snow until after 12. Tried Remarks today for a change. The winter games had some events on there so the big jumps were busy but where they usually have three smaller kickers back to back, they had one and park stuff after that. Not to worry, Gurti pulled out the camera and snapped a few of me going over a small jump that was being smashed by others mucking around on it.

Gurti completed two back to back runs down the main green one with I think a total of three tumbles. It looks as though she's becoming more comfortable on her feet and was linking some turns and sliding 360's. Ben had headed up a second lift and was doing his own thing. He met up with me and we headed back up to where he was and he's progressing well too. Yesterday he bought a helmet and now he looks like a Lego man!

Is this guy SAS or something?

The plan was to finish up at 4 and head to Coronet for some night skiing before meeting up with Tim's crew at the Minus 5 bar but we figured we'd be short on time, especially seeing as though we need to sneak dinner in there somewhere. We left the field and once showered, we tried our luck at Winnies. Three pizzas, drinks and a game of pool later, we were feeling quite full and left for the ice bar.

Gurti pretending to be a bit of a pool shark
(she sank that shot and saved us from a pants down a few nights later)

When I was here a few years ago and staying with Gus, he warned me how it was a bit of a tourist trap. It is and it was a bit novel but when you're hanging out with friends, it doesn't really matter. Tim and Trish met us there however Henri and his girl had piked (soft I tell ya!). Tim and Trish and two cocktails while our group had flavoured vodka shots (mine was chilli) and a cocktail (I had yellow snow) which was yum.

I slipped on the ice and this is what I saw

They only allow 30 min bookings so after we had been ousted, we checked out another bar. They had NRL playing which was followed by AU vs NZ in the rugby while we sat around swapping stories of our exploits and travel tales. Trish bought us a round of Yagar bombs which proved popular however a few of us were getting a bit tired. We parted company and headed home for some rest.

The crew got sick of my driving and found another mode of transport

Gurti says...
Did I mention this place was amazing already?! There is so much to write about seeing as though this is my first entry in a few days but I'll just punch out some highlights. Taking the gondola up the mountain to our buffet dinnert the other night was fantastic. I realised that Im not such a fan of heights afterall and when the boys started to rock the gondola i nearly had a heart attack. The view from up there was so gorgeous but didnt last long as we had headed up late arvo. Seeing Cookie laugh so hard that he started crying was pretty memorable on that evening also.

Although im a bit of a softy on the slopes I have been making accomplishments everyday. It doesnt help when every bone and muscle in your body is aching and your knees are the colour of a rainbow. But I have managed to take the lift up with complete strangers.... yes it was an accident, managed to do one run with only one small stack, starting to link turns and do a few 360's, starting to master the art of falling gracefully and entering/exiting the lifts is not as scary as it used to be.

Slopes all to myself, yeah!

The drive up to the Remarkables yesterday was scary as anything but on the same token it was pretty exciting and breath taking.I think I prefer it to Coronet Peak although I have found my little prayer mountain there:) I got to pull out cookies camera on the slopes yesterday and take a few shots of him hitting a jump..and felt like i was in my element. I could have stayed there all day!!!!

The food has been amazing, Cookie really does know the good joints to eat out at but my plans of sheading some kgs on this trip is so not happening. I havent eaten so much pizza, chips and burgers in my life!

Today is just going to be a lazy one. I wouldnt mind going for a bit of a road trip like the other day to Cardrona and taking a few snaps cuz when you are driving at 100km an hour, it really doesnt make for a good photo.

5 more days to go....and I really dont want to come home....

Hey guys, how bout a game of cards tonight?

Day 4 - NZ

John says...
I turned into a tourist today. Cookie went off and did some more boarding so I walked around and took photos with Pete then met Nichole for lunch after she slept in. Tried some $15 steak which turned out to be an overcooked steakette. Afterwards we decided to try some Shotover Jetboating. It was good fun but as I ride bikes, it wasn't as exciting as others would find. It felt more like snowboarding when you're sliding around.

I jumped on the shuttle back to town and Pete and Nichole went to do the swing thing. My gloves are a little tight with wearing Cookie's wrist guards and one has split so thought I'd find some new ones. Chatted to some guy waxing boards and headed home.

Cookie came home and we waited for the others to return. Once they had showered we walked into town for dinner. I wasn't too interested in pizza and wanted to try something else. We went to an Indian place which had odd taste in music for an Indian restaurant, it was mainly movie and TV show theme music. Ordered the old faithful butter chicken and it was good. Went home to a nice warm unit.


Nichole says...
I politely declined Cookie and John's invitation for a 7.30 breakfast and decided to sleep in. It was well needed sleep. The shotover was good but it froze my face. I have yet to see it snow.

Nichole after half a week in a campervan

Pete says...
The highlight of this day was that I did the giant canyon swing. Here are the stats; 60m freefall, 109m deep gorge, 150kph = the most incredible rush I've ever had. I even had Billy Idol's Rebel Yell and a Leyton Hewitt 'C'mon' pumping me up!

There's a hill between town and the unit which Nic needed some help with

Cookie says...
Late start this morning as Pete was coming over while Nic slept-in back at the campervan. Bit of a day of people doing their own thing. Nic had some alone time while Pete and John cruised around town. I headed up the hill but this time to Remarks. Unfortunately this prawn left his memory in the computer so no photos or video today.

It was another beautifully clear day and while sitting on the chair I was contemplating all the important things in life like which runs do I warm up on? Should I try the jumps here? That whole face looks like fun but would require a fair bit of walking. Decided to keep the walking for later and ended up spending the day on the jumps. I was pretty happy with my effort. I think I stacked it about three times on the run of three jumps in the terrain park after going through there about 15+ times. After the jumps I'd either fang it to the lift or pick a run where I could get some turns in.

The light started to go flat so I finished up with a few quick runs and made it back to QT. Picked up a Brazilian hitcher called Sabrina in the carpark and dropped her off in town. Her background was research and hospitality however her current job was labouring which she has found gave the best income and flexibility for hitting the snow.

I found John lazing around the unit and we were waiting for Pete and Nic. They arrived, showered and we hoofed it into town for dinner. I showed them The Cow and Winnies which they liked the look of but we ended up at an Indian place.

They are joining us for Coronet tomorrow so should be fun.

Day 3 - NZ

Mikey says...
Experienced -4 temperatures today. Didn't freeze my balls off but it was close. Frustrating and good day on the slopes (oh actually only one slope for me) today. Frustrating cause I was struggling to get my turns going but great when I finally got it!

Cheap day for me as I was on the kiddie slopes all day today
and didn't have to buy a lift ticket ... technically ... ;-)

Went to Fergburger and got the Codfather.
I was surprised it lived up to its name.

Thats about it from me except of course for...

Lessons Learnt

• Don't let Cookie have the keys to the car cause he'll tell you you've got them and you'll start freaking out that you've lost them

Mikey out


Cookie says...
Day two and my body is hurting. Some will say it's old age... I'll say it was the 3 summersaults down a steep incline virtually under the chairlift. Mikey was saying that when people see someone stacking it, everyone cringes with empathy with them. I would like to think landing on my board and cruising away after this acrobatic display resulted in the thought 'he's a machine', however it would be more realistic to assume I provided a moments entertainment to the crowd above and recieving a barrage of laughter. I had the iPod on so had no idea what was going on above.

Spent the day on the upper runs and met more Aussies including some dude from Melbourne who's over here with a crew from a Presbyterian church and he grew up in an eastern European baptist church... interesting combination.

We forgot to mention that there were some guys from Kenmore Baptist on our flight over and Mikey briefly saw them today.

On the way home we made the customary pilgrimage to Fergburger. People rate it and it's usually busy for a reason and as Mikey said, it lived up to expectations. Here's a pic of the menu and as you can see, my choice of burger had already been made for me...

(click on the photo for a larger picture and read the menu)

Not as sweet as the real thing though ; )

Lessons Learnt

• Glad the helmet I bought is a multi-impact model


• Nougat in subzero temps is really hard to bite into (choc bars are our staple diet)


• Photography and boarding down steep slopes concurrently isn't easy or smart


• Think I'll be visiting Ashley and Martin soon...

Day 2 - NZ - Mikey's Lunch...

I heard he was tight but going to these length to get a free drink of water?
It was his first experience with snow.

Day 2 - NZ

Mikey says...
Wow soo much has happened since we last posted.
Forgot to mention that our room was upgraded to a lake facing unit instead of the backside of a hill. So shibby!

Hmm... watched quality NZ TV last night which included a moving and well scripted Van Dam film. Wow, I know I'll never be the same again. Watched X-treme 4 x 4 which my uncle hosts! Wont be writing rave reviews but I know big lukey would've loved it, and too me that enough (sniff sniff).
Right, snow stuff!

Set alarm for 6:15. Got up at 6:35, new record for me.

Headed off to the Remarkables (named after Pilty) and got there nice and early so we didn't have any traffic or parking probs.

Cookie show me the basics on the learner incline and I did feel like a bit of an idiot cause we were the only ones boarding and it felt like everyone was looking at me. But I'm used to people not being able to take their eyes off me.

After 'mastering' the basics Cookie went off to the fully shic stuff.

The kiddie slope was fun but then the lessons started and you had to dodge heaps of people. Didn't hit anyone (down here...) but did manage to save a baby from a burning building.
After lunch I went to the real slopes.

Cookie went down with me for the first few but I kinda ran into him. Luckily we were both unscathed (phew). After that I just kept going down the same slope. Stacked it many times, (mostly just off the ski lifts!) one very painfully on my butt.

Found out that I'm more comfortable in goofy stance so will have to change set up of board as is set up for natural foot.

But having said that, I'm up and sliding and having fun so far.

Lessons Learnt

• Don't run into people


• Don't watch Van Dam films

Mikey Out


Cookie says...
Okay, my turn : )

Yup, got Mikey up and sliding and he's had fun so far. Bluebird day to begin with which made for some very quick runs. Managed to smash myself on one of the quickest and the helmet has paid for itself already. The day closed in after lunch and the flat lighting palyed hovoc with the visibility of edges and stuff you want to avoid.

Chatted to a few people but quickly discovered they're all from Australia... including the ones with Kiwi accents!

And Mikey has come out of the closet... he's Goofy!

Lessons Learnt

• Don't board downhill from Mikey, he will hit you


• You won't find natives on these ski fields, they all moved to Australia


• One piece suits do not look good, especially if you're male and it's canary yellow


• Glad I bought a helmet


• Mikey's uncle actually hosts a TV show