Oh what a beautiful morning in Queenstown

That ol' weepin' willow is laughin' at me...

After a refreshing night's rest, we got up early and had breakfast down by Lake Wakatipu, the center of town and activity in this bustling city. It was one of those crystal clear days that just makes you feel good... a Saturday... replete with a crafts market, music, and buskers along the waterfront, and a huge steamship dislodging it's passengers. Paragliders dotted the sky, including the one with the smiley face above. Jan got a jade kiwi pendant from one of the craft vendors... the Kiwi Bird of course being the iconic emblem of New Zealand.

The take-away from New Zealand has to be the friendliness and generosity of it's people. During our first visit in 2004, we were having breakfast in Kaikoura, chatting with the only other couple in the restaurant. By the time we had finished our coffee, having mentioned we would be going through Queenstown, they had invited us to come stay with them in their home here.