Lake Wanaka

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Hello everyone,

Here it comes, our new adventure in New Zealand. In the last log we had mentioned Christchurch briefly, it is a nice city and we did have a good time there, especially our last night. We met an interesting couple whom we spent the evening with following happy hour at the Hotel opposite ours, needless to say we were somewhat delicate the next morning when going to catch the Tranzalpine train to the west coast.

The journey took us through some beautiful scenery of the NewZealand alps. The train had a viewing platform form which to take our photos. Linda saw all the journey; Ken will have to look at the photos. Rumplestiltskin springs to mind!!
Greymouth where the train terminated - aptly named - was our home for the next 2 nights and it rained. But we did go and see a very good and funny play at the local theatre called Hot Pursuit. We also stocked up on some cheap warm clothing.

We picked up the Magic hop onhop off bus on Monday morning and had a reasonable run down to Franz Joseph - glacier land with some beautiful scenery, providing, of course, that it is not raining and there is no heavy mist/fog encasing the valley for the next 3 days ( the length of our stay)spoiling the chance of any views helicopter flights or walks. The good thing was our accommodation was very good and reasonable. Long time since we have spent most of a day watching films and having such bad weather. Needless to say by Thursday we were ready to be on the move again and picked up the bus for Queenstown dropping us and another couple off here at Wanaka.

The journey from Franz to Wanaka was an interesting one with us witnessing the four seasons in less than 8 hours and the possibility of being stranded in a snow bound bus. Luck prevailed and we arrived safely. Beginning of the journey was nice and sunny therefore was able to get some nice photos of Lake Mathheson (commonly known as mirror lake) and the sun on the Mountain tops. The bus driver warned us that a rain storm was on the way, he was right and by the time we were driving through the Haast Pass we were in a snow blizzard and got stuck half way up a hill. An hour later with the help of snow chains were up the hill and over going into the valley almost becoming spring. By the time we got nearer to Wanaka lake the sun was shining and a rainbow that we saw was absolutely stunning. Fortunately Linda had brought lunch with us so we did not starve.

When we arrived here we could not believe our luck; it is a nice vibrant place, main township built near the lake and it seems there is more than enough to do. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Our hostel is central to town with good facilities.

That's all for now folks, enjoy the photos,

Linda & Ken

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Photos

CHRISTCHURCH
Sudoko is just too much for Ken

TRANZALPINE TRAIN
Fantastic view from the train viewing platform

FRANZ JOSEPH
And this was during the GOOD half hour!

LAKE MATHESON
Sunrise view of Fox Glacier. We are going to sell this photo and make a mint!

LAKE MATHESON
Us in the cold

HAAST PASS
The not-so-Magic Bus not going Pass Haaast

LAKE HAWEA
Speaks for itself

LAKE WANAKA
The view from our motel

LAKE WANAKA
The lake in all its majesty

Comments

[Tracey]

WOW
Hi Linda and Ken It looks cold but stunning there. Are you in Lord of the Rings countryside yet?? Keep warm and enjoy the scenary, can't wait to see the next photos. Georgia is still doing her suduko. Lots of Love Traceyxxxxx

[Disco and Rat]

Cinema and Monster trucks!!
Dad, Linda, You're both looking really well. We loved lake Wanaka when we were there. Have you had a chance to go to the cool cinema yet? If you are facing the lake, go to your right and head up the hill being careful to avoid the nice bars on the left, and at the top of the hill on a juntion will be a small cinema. Where you can buy beer, wine and all sorts of home-made food and take it in with you to watch a movie in the coolest cinema ever. The seats are old sofas and there is even an old Beetle which you can sit in, Like you where at a drive through. A really nice place to watch a film. Wanaka is also the place where I drove monster trucks! So if you are feeling a little adventurous there is an option where they drive you round the track. Really good fun. Right next to the Bra fence!!! Take care Love Stuart