Queenstown - Tom FDecember 2, 2013
We had a great time on our trip. The tour guide was exceptional. We loved Sydney (The Sofitel was a fabulous hotel – – all of the hotels except Alice Springs were excellent). Enjoyed Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The trip up to Kuranda was great – – the train ride down was unspectacular (I guess we are spoiled). Ayers Rock was spectacular (it was only 80 degrees instead of the usual 100 degrees) , as was the ride to Alice Springs. We saw kangaroos while on the Ghan train. Adelaide and Melbourne were both very nice.
On to NZ – the south island was amazing. Everything in the south island is breathtaking – – our two special highlights were 1) the Shotover Jet boat ride in Queenstown and 2) we took a small plane back from Milford Sound (the snow capped mountains and waterfalls were unforgettable – – the plane was worth the price of $270 per person). There was not a cloud in the sky the day we were in Milford Sound (two days before it had rained nine inches and a few days before that there was an avalanche). The only days that it rained on the trip were the last two days in the North island. I am glad the trip wasn’t any longer – – we were out of gas. All in all I believe it was the best trip we have ever taken. Thanks for everything you did to make the trip memorable and hassle free (all plane connections and hotel transfers were perfect).
