Gena Bagley, 14 May 2026
Around the World with 9Y Travel Writers
Pack your bags and grab your boarding pass, as 9Y students take you on an adventure. As part of their unit on Travel Writing, the boys unpacked the key features of an artist model to produce pieces that transport the reader to a new location.
Queenstown
I think we're going too fast!" I can hear my brother Lachie scream those words vaguely as the booming sound of the Shotover Jet blasted like a machine gun. Inside, we're in this bright red jet boat with brownish leathered seats that are now absolutely soaked from the water. The winter season makes everything around Queenstown freezing at this time of year, and I can tell from the rigid, snow-sprinkled mountains surrounding the so-called "adventure capital of the world." After my short, exhilarating 25-minute ride on the jet, I hop off the boat and make my way back to the Novotel, which is one of the most luxurious hotels in the country. "Mate, that was epic!" Lachie says excitedly while wrenching his now drenched clothes. "That was sick," I say back, "but now I'm buggered."
It's now been a three-hour-long nap since our ride, and Lachie and I have decided to go take a trip around town to see what other activities we can find. We walk around the harbour on the edge of Queenstown and see this eerie, rugged, spooky building with blood-red words that read "Fear Factory." I decide it looks like another crazy adventure, so Lachie and I walk up these creaky stairs, and the worker behind the table has what looks to be a bloody eye that's popped out! I jump for a second, and Lachie is shaking in his boots. The worker gives me a gruesome smile and says, "It's not real, don't worry" - a wave of relief runs down my spine like a water drop on a window - "or is it?" That water drop has just exploded in fear. I'm now horrified. How am I supposed to do this if I can't even make it out of reception, I think to myself. "That place is a death wish," said the group of four who just came out of the factory. Well, we did it anyways and, trust me, it was a death wish. But, if you're someone who likes a little bit of jump scares and spook, then definitely give it a go.
When you come into Queenstown, you can't help but notice this massive, 480-metre gondola that scales the mountains above the town. You can't have a trip to Queenstown and not ride the gondola. So Lachie and I look at each other and say in unison, "Let's do it." When you go up, it's one of the most beautiful sights you'll ever see: all of Queenstown in its glory, overlooked in one small little box. There's no other place like it. Another great attraction is "The Luge." Above the town sits a curvy, wavy track called "The Luge." "Luge" in French means small kart. It's renowned for its stunning views, exhilarating fun, and all-ages adventures. The views are incredible, and it's a great place for a relaxed cup of coffee or a competitive family race. Afterwards, we ended our trip with a massive, delicious Fergburger, which is one of the most famous burger restaurants in the world. That last bite of the "Cock-a-Doodle Oink" called my name as my mouth drooled with every chomp.
My trip in Queenstown was one of the funnest trips I've ever been on and, if you're someone looking for a nice, calm, stunning vacation, Queenstown is the place for you. Maybe if you're someone looking for a fun, exhilarating, and exciting stay, Queenstown, once again, is the place for you. Even if you're someone who wants to explore, have fun, and chill all at the same time - you guessed it - Queenstown is the place for you. So what are you waiting for? Get down to Queenstown ASAP and have the time of your life, because you won't regret it.
Monty Lawton
Cape Town
Hot summers with intense sun glow throughout the sky. Long days and short nights wither within the air. Bright green leaves wave around with a warm atmosphere that fills our days. This is Cape Town. Massive cities with tall buildings mixed with the noise of the bustling city and the wind dancing throughout. One of the biggest tourist attractions is Table Mountain, which is one of the world's seven wonders with over 2,785 plant species - which is more than the British Isles! The British Isles is a group of over 6,000 islands, including Great Britain and Ireland. An even more unique fact is: over 70% of the flowers on Table Mountain are endemic! Meaning they are found nowhere else on earth.
Though mountains aren't the only exciting thing, below all that greenery and diversity, you get the city. The tall buildings immerse you in the bustling city with magical scenery and enough food to make you drown. This vibrant city entails diversity in culture and native art styles, and amazing architecture like no other. One of the main positives about being a tourist in Cape Town is there are loads of places to stay for accommodation, and they have very diverse areas such as an ocean view or more of a mountain range type of view. Moving a bit further down you arrive at a place called Sea Point, where the futuristic buildings and the vast, fresh, salty ocean meet. This is where you will be able to see the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, kind of like two armies clashing. This is a tourist hub; at Sea Point, you will see mostly either tourists or rich locals. The scenery of the beaches and Atlantic Ocean mixed with the unique style of buildings make for a good combo. Sea Point is perfect for morning runs, jogs, or even if you want to walk your dog! Some of the locals say, "If you wake up early, you will get a whiff of the salty ocean that is refreshing and unique."
The environment is another thing that plays a big role in the quality of life or vacation quality. In Cape Town, you have very hot summers and dry winters, though it does get very cold on some occasions. One tip I would give to everyone is: don't ever go to the dangerous areas! Especially if you are a tourist. This tip could save your life; if you're on holiday, stay in the city and by the nice part of Cape Town and you should be pretty safe. Second tip would be: keep your bags and valuables close to you or on you, because even if a lot of people say, "You're pretty safe," petty theft targeted specifically on tourists is pretty common.
Stay Safe!
Azhar Gabier