Otago

Queenstown, New Zealand, in autumn is thrilling with leaves changing colour. Lake Whakatipu is often calm, but can be choppy in the light breezes. We changed our departure time from 3:15 to 1:15 p.m. and we were pleased with the earlier departure from the local jetty, as sunlight was fading after 3 p.m. The "Spirit of Queenstown" was moved from its overnight docking wharf to mid-wharf on the main, long wharf, a few minutes nearer to the CBD. Dozens of families were eagerly waiting in a long queue --- and most of them headed up to a higher deck with a wind-shield. As my wife and I had pre-purchased "wine and cheeses", we chose to go directly into the main covered lounge with its large picture windows and selected a window table and seats. There was adequate room for those who chose to sit in the main Lounge, with few sitting at the central tables. The catamaran was quite stable in the choppy lake water and the captain slowed down when changing direction across choppy waters.