Half Around The World In 80 Days

The Deluge, south to Queenstown (15-18 November 1999)
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In the two days after climbing the glacier it never stops raining once. Trapped in the Magic Bus all you get to see is fogged up windows. The weather forecasts are increasingly gloomy and talk of continuing rain, floods and blocked roads. I part company with the Magic Bus in the town of Queenstown which claims to be the 'adventure capital of New Zealand'. However, while I am there it is experiencing the highest flood in 100 years, and there is not much to be had in the line of outdoor adventure sports. As well as that, all roads out are now blocked by floods, landslides or road washouts so there is no escape. Still though I am not alone in this as there are thousands of other stranded backpackers with whom to share the predicament.

The water level continues to rise, and by Wednesday night I have to wade through waist high water to get into the hostel. By the Thursday we have to evacuate the hostel as there is a metre of water in the ground floor. Having packed all our gear, we have to clamber across a flat roof, down a fire escape and into a waiting boat to be carried off to safety. This is inconvenient but not something I will forget in a hurry. Maybe Noahs Ark should set up another hostel in Queenstown ?

Click link to see larger image. Use   Back   button on browser to return to this page. Twin Rivers Jet boat hits downtown Queenstown

Queenstown becomes the Venice of the South


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