Wanaka

---

Wanaka is just over an hour north of Queenstown. It's a beautiful place- also surrounded by mountains, with glaciers in the distance. Wanaka is a pretty small place and our hostel overlooked Lake Wanaka which is a huge lake with a nice little beach along it and some good walking tracks. Our main reason for visiting Wanaka is that it's one of the best places for tandem skydiving as it's the most scenic skydive in NZ....

It was just the best thing that either of us has ever done. I'm sure it's an experience that can't be beaten! The scenery from the little plane we flew up in was great in itself! We both jumped from 12,000 ft. We were filmed so we each had a flying camera man who jumped with us and filmed it all. Olly went first and I went right after. You don't really have time to get nervous. One second you're hanging out of the side of the plane and the next you're out...whirling round in the air. It was just awwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeesssssome!!! We had 45 seconds of freefall but it felt like about 4 seconds. When the parachute goes up it's just so still and calm. Then you can just admire the gorgeous views: the lake, mountains, snow-peaked mountains, and glaciers. It was fantastic. We also got to do some little stunts like spinning around etc, Olly's man let him drive the parachute for a bit. Definitely a must-do activity.

We spent another couple of days in Wanaka, went on some nice walks etc. Then headed north to Franz Josef glacier.

---

Photos

Uncontrolled freefall
Charlie, just after the big jump, still tumbling around. Check out the awesome scenery - glaciers, snow-capped mountains and Lake Wanaka.

Close up
Of the four-legged, four-armed multi-coloured hamster.

A long way down
Charlie falling at 200kph.

Is it a bird...is it a plane...?
No, just me and Phil.

Ever tried swimming through air?
I have. Practicing a spot of breaststroke on the way down. (No, it;s not upside down, its the angle the crazy camera flyer got into.)

Let's do it!
Charlie with her tandem-master, Chris, just before boarding the best flight ever.

Ready to rok
Me with Phil, the man entrusted with my life. He did a good job.

She made it
And she looks extremely happy to have done so...or maybe just because she had just done the best thing...ever.

Clowns reunited
Safely back down to earth, absolutely buzzing.

Across Lake Wanaka
Looked like pyramids.

Comments

[Dad]

Thrills
What a great time you two are having! How can you now better the thrills and excitement of the last week..... no doubt you will try. I didn't think Charlotte would have done the skydive. The photos show that she really enjoyed it. I've already printed off this blog for grandad (he allways looks forward to reading it). Can't wait to get the photo files on CD. I can then print off an enlargement so that grandad can see the delight on your faces. What's next then..........jet boat along the canyon? Look forward to the next blog. Keep on enjoying youselves and look after each other Dad

[Mum]

Woah , aarrgh!! stomach churning pics.
Well I cease to be amazed! I thought you had experienced all the extreme sports but NO!! It looks as though you both really enjoyed it, but rather you than me. The photos are brilliant and what an incredible camera man!!! I hope Dad hasn't got any ideas on photographing Sky Diving (Ha ha!!). I love the expression on your face reminds me of Tubbs (I think that's his name) in that comedy show, the name of which escapes me.Brilliant blog, I'm just loving it. Love Mum xxxxxxxx

[Alice]

WOW!!!!!!!
What else can I say??? Amazing, well done you'r ebraver than me!

[Mel & Charlie]

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL!!!
Hey, you never cease to amaze me! What FANTASTIC photos and what BRAVERY from both of you to do this. Great stuff, awesome scenery again. Everyone at work is well impressed what you 2 r doing! I make everyone's day when I say "Got more on the Blog" I keep everyone up to date with what you have been doing and you could'nt be doing more if you tried, I am so proud of you! Cannot wait to see all your pics when you get back, will take weeks to see them all!! What an amazing feeling, I bet. Another thing I would't do!! Keep up the good work. You are going to be so fed up when you get back to "Our World" you wont know what to do with yourselves. Charlie sends his love and wishes he was doing (none of the height things) you have been doing!!He's a big wuss too!! Counting the days to see you again. Take Care of each other. Lots of Love Auntie Mel and Uncle Charlie FarleyXXXXXXXXXXXX