Bye Bye Bobby
Trip Start
Sep 20, 2007
1
34
85
Trip End
Sep 20, 2008
Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
Monday, December 10, 2007
Arriving into the place gave us a lasting first impression as this little gem is nestled in among a huge glacial valley with spectacular scenery everywhere you look. As this town was going to be our home for the next week or so we probably should have booked a hostel but keeping to form we winged it and checked into the Deco hostel (Anto was booked wha wha)...
This small but efficient little hostel had a great viewing/drinking area out the back which served us well our first night on the town. We met a local Maori dude called Miles who took a shine to our bullshit and soon became an honorary Irish man selflessly passing the JD around. He then whipped out the CD player with his arsenal of Gangsta Rap, only the Don to the Mec had heard of any of these, two fingers like a playa!!
Next guest at the table was a German lad called Marcel. Turned out to be a German comedic genius throughout the week...(the one and only).
Some memorable quotes from Marcel include
Q:Miles asking him about Germany and the Nazi's in the war?
A: Unfortunately my history book only vent as var as 1939
Q: Doni asks Miles if he has the song WW3 by DMX
A: Marcel cuts in "Did ve vin Zat one"?
Q: Some Septic Tank (Yank) tries to defend Bush junior saying he is misunderstood
A: Marcel reples yeah "so vas Hitler yah" beaaautiful stuff
A good night was had by all where we met some familiar faces down in the Base Bare. Then onto the World Bar which was a backpackers haven serving drink from a teapot with teacups, very interesting. Con and Don hit the hay while Clive and Craig strayed down to the marina as the sun came up and Craig had a sobering dive into the glacial abyss below as Clive watched and pointed/laughed from above.
We than all Retired to our minuscule room which was roughly 40 degrees. This was pretty unbearable so we jumped at the chance to move rooms when the hostel manager Tony offered us a bigger one. At first Tony hated us because we were being loud, messy etc but eventually he fell for our charms and expected us to be out every night "Whats wrong, thought you Micks could drink" was a favorite.
The next few days went by in a bit of a blur as something about this town made you want to party. Conor deserved the dedication title with six in a row with the others not far behind. During this time we befriended a few fellow hostelers including some Dutch girls, Ola Annick. The Don and Conor took over the show here and flew the Irish flag high. One famous night the words "Mr. Skinny sit over there" were followed by "Youse are fiends for not letting me sit beside you".. Good times had by all.
We met up with the English lads and lassies the next night and once again we went for the Base/World Bar winning combo. We were also introduced to Fergburger which was basically sex in a bun. Quite pricey but you could get a fry on a burger if you fancied it so we did.
The next day was the Hatton v Mayweather boxing match which was watched in a local sports bar. Turned out to be a huge crowd watching it which was mostly composed of English Hatton fans. As a result we all cheered on Mayweather for the bant as surely he had a bit of Irish in him. Great atmosphere but Hatton was outclassed but humble as always even in defeat, legend. Next up was an Eng V Irish game of mini golf which included chairlifts, rockets etc. Ended up a stalemate (our excuse anyway) as the game was taking too long with scores of over 7 a hole common feature.
Alex the Manc decided to stay with us (his real mates) as the rest of the English headed off to Wanaka. He was quickly adopted as one of us adding some great sayings like "bit of scram" or "thats alright that is", Legend he's welcome anytime.
A DVD day was had where Alex was introduced to the one and only Colin bleedin Farrel in Miami Vice. Here he learnt possibly one of the greatest chat up lines of all time "Where you from? Girl in bar says Portugal, Colin bleedin Farrell replies "Yeah but you got you're tan in Miami" BOOM. The other flicks included the Groomsmen, absolute shite, well done Doni and Two for the Money, Classic.
Craig went for a wee willy wander up the gondola and a hike and got some great pics of the town from above and some agressive little shites of mountain goats. Also did a quick luge (like in Rotorua) while up there for good measure.
Toward the last couple of days in Queenstown a cloud of impending doom hung around as we knew it was time for the Nevis Highwire Bungee. At 134m and with a 8.5 second freefall, this would prove to be the make or break of the trip so far. In the end, Clive and Craig stood up to the test. Having been told to wear brown or dark trousers before heading off, this didn't exactly fill the lads with confidence but off they went. After a very long bus journey (it seemed) listening to the most filthy dance to be found on the ipod, the bungee appeared. Everyone was rightly shitting themselves and there were plenty of nervous laughs in our group. The jumping order was done by weight and with Clive and Craig both weighing 77K it was decided that Clive would plunge first. Once we got to the Gondola the adrenaline was pumping and there was no turning back (although one girl bottled it big time with tears and all).
Clive steps up to the ledge, no final words just a man on a mission and steps into the unknown. 9 seconds later he can be seen bouncing back from the abyss and back to the safety of the Gondola. Buala Bus, or so they say in the States. Craigo is next and he follows suit with a sciup at the top of his lungs for good measure. Great day out, mission accomplished and with a DVD of the event for proof we retired to Queenstown for a deserved beer or eight.
Last night out was great crack with a mosh and a bit of Rage against the Machine thrown in for good measure. Also involved a wee Scottish lass who entertained to say the least and a power cut. Raving by candles was a new one for us.
Next day we rocked up to the airport as fresh as Daisy's and said good bye to one and only Bobby Dazzler. A true veteran of the NZ roads, this car never let us down and there was barely a dry eye among anyone, you will be missed.
Next stop Sydney as in Stone the Flamin Crows Australia which will be our permanent home for the next six months or so as we intend to work and live on our visas there and save the deniro for the rest of our travles through Asia and the Middle East. Watch this space!!!
