The Mind Creative OCT 2013
In the heart of New Zealand’s Southern lakes region lies the town of
Queenstown attracting people from across the world because it’s just
so easy to fall in love with the town’s mountainous scenery set
amidst a wonderland of lush greenery and captivating lifestyle.
Nestled in an alpine valley alongside Lake Wakatipu, the mountains
pierce the sky with their snow-capped needles, and plunge
downwards into pure mountain waters that form a big canyon that is
almost 400 metres deep. This lake bares a rare gentle tide which,
according to a Maori legend, is the breath of the Giant Matau who
was burnt to death in his sleep after he abducted a chief’s daughter.
This twelve centimetres tide occurs every five minutes which,
according to scientists, is due to the fluctuating atmospheric
pressure.
This attractive town of 11,000
inhabitants (which was originally
settled during the 1860’s gold
rush) hosts one million tourists
each year and is indeed a place
for getting outdoors amidst the
elements.
For me, in particular, my love
affair with Queenstown began
when I was born and although I
visit my family and friends each
year in Queenstown, a fear of
heights has prevented me from
most outdoor sports.
Staying on the ground, skiing at
Coronet Peak or the
Remarkables mountains is
“safe” and so is seating in a
speedboat, riding the icy waters
of the Shotover and Dart rivers.
43