Slicing Ice & Getting Genki - Day 5
Today started super fast...slicing fast because we were off blading!! Ice blading that is...It's the new way to Ice Skate..but in style with the stars at "Stars On Ice".
In true Blades of Glory style 2010 senior pairs national champs Ariel Nadas and Grant Howie razzled and dazzled us with their moves on the ice at Queenstowns purpose built "Wonderland Ice Rink". NEWS UPDATE: The advantage of this rink it is much smaller than a normal rink, which means you can get a lot closer to all the action! And being an open air outdoor rink based right in the centre of town its more accessible to shoppers and wanderers who jumped at the opportunity to pack out the rink & cheer on the activities.
Anyway, cheers for those wise words Lisa, back to the Stars though..Flaming Strewth They practically did the "IRON LOTUS" if you don't know this move well it's when the guy holds the girls feet and swings her around and around with her face centimeters away from the ice - just like Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy did in Blades of Glory. See here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u52R3nOOf6Q&feature=related ...They did add a bit on the end though...WOAH Lisa we are going to have to give this move a whirl - I'll spin you...I'd trust me!!
Ok Jo, dreaming...how about I take it from here, and we leave you in your Jo lala land - I forgot to tell you figure skating is Jo's favourite sport so she has actually just been standing there mouth open catching flies in awe of the demonstrations taking place. Following this some of the Stampede ice hockey players took to the ice for a quick game of hockey. It all looked very surreal as these big guys were huge in comparison to the small ring and their goalie was a tiny young girl who was brave enough to play with the big boys and fend off the puck coming her way! Go Girl! Check out the pics and our interview with the Ice Blacks coming soon.
From here it was off to grab some grub, soup and sushi...yum yum yum Queenstown was buzzing, people galore shopping, dining, wandering about and of course trying out the many activities Queenstown has to offer.
Although blue skied and sunny it’s freezing today so I think snow is on it’s merry way. Well done!!! Woohooo but that’s not stopping all the party people from coming out to watch the 38th Mardi Gra brought to you this year by Air New Zealand Holidays.
That's right Lisa, always a favourite here in Queenstown.
Yes Jo, the streets saw masks and lanterns and dressed up characters stroll from Memorial Gate to the main stage at Earnslaw Park lead by the Japanese Taipa drummers. The night was hosted by Henry and Jo…and in true MC style they pulled out a number of jokes and a dance – I must say when he went to dip Jo on stage I thought here we go get ready to pick yourself up off the floor buddy, but alas he held on and popped her straight back up –phew!!
Yes, I thought I would be eating the deck with my Sheryl May dress over my head…Ok…My favourite act for the night was Almost Abba which had our buddy Lindsay in it , I never knew Abba could shuffle. Lisa’s was Shane Cortese who threw on his blue suede shoes with the class of 58 and showed that not only can he act but he can sing..How about a serenede..
Reel it in Lisa…. Mercury Crowe and Mile High killed it on stage and even let us all on the stage for their final song to sing and dance along, it was clear that we were singing the wrong part but hey…it was all fun.
The hot seat in town, a spa where guests were served sake and sushi all night long was well loved by prize winners and Air New Zealand Holidays also gave away a trip to Japan..That’s a beautiful story the guy who won it is getting married a few days before the date and so he is using it for their honeymoon, his wife to be was very happy with the surprise – wedding in Thailand and Honeymoon in Japan..Jackpot.
Heading the Mardi Gra was Japanese sensation Osaka Mounarail, who traveled all the way from Japan, wow did they deliver. They had the crowd bouncing and singing and showcased a very polished show. They even did a signing session after the show and in true stardom…of course I took home their broken drumstick-signed of course.
Spot the groupie Jo…The night went off with great success and Queenstown was buzzing, people didn't want to go home so all continued to take in the night life around town and at the Mardi Gra after party.
During the event I shot off to the exclusive "Stars on Ballarat" function and indulged in mulled wine with Seeby Woodhouse, Sally Ridge, Jeremy Corbett, Ben Hurley, Ingrid Leary, Anna Jobsz and all the wonderful folk who had arrived into Queenstown. Fantastic soiree..
We headed home for a quick change of our gorgeous Sheryl May gowns and into some Ooby Ryn Jeans and Roxy kit and wander to Late Night Laughs. We head out the back and grab interviews with Urzilla and Brendhan Lovegrove when suddenly a raucous giraffe from the audience bombards the stage and tries to take over Ben Hurleys set, we follow all the action - who does that!! We already had a fantastic comedian on stage and clearly she had too many orange juices….Ben creams it though handling the whole situation amazingly. Big Ups Ben and mega awesome show.
Booya... Another great one…
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