Drunk and stupid

We did wine country today. Fabulous. Shalini is so happy she doesn't have to drink and drive.

We wake up to a warmer, perfectly sunny Sunday morning. Blue skies, all is right with the world. We go to breakfast at Joe's Garage again. The owner seems pleased that we've come back. I have a bacon and avocado sandwich (delicious) and Shalini gets yummy pancakes. We stroll the cute shops of Queenstown afterwards. So many adorable places. And lots of fleece and wool items. Everything is made of fleece. God, this city is so beautiful. One of my favorite cities ever. It might trump San Francisco in some ways for me. The views definitely have San Fran beat.

But enough drueling. We have to hurry back to our hotel soon. We've booked a wine tour of five wineries from 12:30 to five, and they will pick us up at the hotel. We love that.

Our wine tour group is small, since this is the off-season. It's just six of us. Me and Shalini. Then an older couple from Australia who have never left the country until now. They are so cute. Finally, there's a young couple from London who are getting married next year. Everyone gets along really well and we have a wonderful afternoon. I kind of have a crush on our guide, who is hot in that snowboarder kind of way (but don't worry, he's my age for a change). He mentions that he has a partner in casual conversation and all my hopes are dashed. But he is still cool. He kind of dabbles in everything: he's done location scouting for several films that have been made here, including LOTR, Narnia and the most recent X-Men movie. He is also a commercial landscape photographer. He even shot the most recent Summer 2008 REI catalog! Very cool.

Bungee jumping at its finest (not us)



Lots of delicious wines sipped today. The Central OTago region where we are is known for its award-winning Pinot Noirs. Because the climate here is so conducive for them---warm days and cold nights. We see where the first bungy jumping bridge was created and watch a couple do a tandem dive together. The day is really so much fun. And a nice and relaxing contrast from yesterday's action-packed madness.

We're off to Milford Sound tomorrow. We're going to take an overnight boat cruise on the Milford Wanderer. Milford Sound is supposed to be the #1 travel destination--some believe in all of the world. We can't wait to be inspired by its beauty. I may not be able to post for a couple of days. We return back to Queenstown on Tuesday afternoon. Hopefully, We'll be stuffed with good stories and tales of jaw-dropping scenery. See you then...