Queenstown - March 17, 2020

Queenstown is a resort town on Lake Wakatipu.  It is surrounded by mountains.  Trying to say what town it is like many places could come to mind but really it has aspects of other outdoorsy towns but is it's own place.
Rory's brother, John-Joseph (aka JJ) and girlfriend Annie live here.  The photo on the bottom right is a view from their house. Unfortunately while we were there both were talking about how long their jobs would last.  The closing of NZ borders was days away.  The restaurant we went to was closing in two days.  Bazaar was a high end buffet, made-for-you restaurant with a gorgeous backdrop of Lake Wakatipu.  The food was delicious!

Me, Ron, John-Joseph, Annie, Rory and Madeleine

Fun night...I like this photo better!

The streets were fullish but for a weekend day, in nice weather, it was typically much more crowded.  We got a burger at Fergburger.  Typically the queue was so long, Rory and Madeleine had never waited.  The queue was tolerable so we ordered and waited...still 20 minutes but not bad.  Delicious burger by the way!

We walked around the town when we arrived on Thursday night and again Friday morning.  I didn't capture the feel of it with photos but then again with the virus dominating the news it did not feel normal.  I'd definitely want to go back.  There's lots of outdoor sports that start from here.  There's a young person's vibe...that vibe to see the world and settle for a few months that the Commonwealth Working Holiday Visa affords.

These statues greet you at the Queenstown Airport ZQN
They are reminiscent of North American natives