Queenstown!! Forgive me for bragging.

Forgive me, but I don’t believe I’ve ever had a room with a view quite like this one. Have you?

Yes, this is the view from our place in Queenstown, a place that labels itself as the “adventure capital of the world”. Rightly so, as this was the birthplace of bungee jumping, heliskiing and ziplining. The town brims with activity and excitement. I would add that it is one of the most beautiful and dramatic natural locations in the whole wide world, sitting in a valley, surrounded by spectacular mountains, along the shores of breathtaking Lake Wakatipu.

We had lunch as soon as we arrived, then, as we have grown accustomed, we searched for a peaceful spot to let the food set in, while each reading our own book.

By then it was time to check into our apartment on the aptly named Panorama Terrace. Imagine our elation when we realized we could not have picked a more strategically placed location!

As I said, the town itself is also quite beautiful. It was founded in the 1800s during the New Zealand Gold Rush, then, when the gold was all but mined out, a few families decided to stay, claiming that this place was fit for a queen to live in; hence the name. It teems with people from all nations, seeking adventure, but also simply to take in the magnificence of the surroundings.

We spent most of the day shopping and walking along the delightful waterfront.

In late afternoon we took an aerial “gondola” to the summit of one of the mountains. While people there were partaking in such things as mountain biking, bungee jumping, and luge (on dirt, not snow), we enjoyed a nice drink and the spectacular views.

As evening approached, we had dinner at an Indian restaurant and took pleasure in another stroll along the waterfront and in the local park.

By the time we got “home”, the view of the Lake Wakatipu was simply sublime.

Yes, life is beautiful. Enjoy your day, or night, wherever you are.