Day 95: Driving to Wanaka‏

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Franz Joseph to Wanaka is a fair old distance and to be honest this was the worst travel day so far. A 7.30am departure and five stops later we arrived in Wanaka at 4pm. This part of the South Island is pretty picturesque and each time we stopped there was a fantastic photo opportunity. Our first stop was at Lake Matheson, renowned for its beautiful reflection of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. Our other stops included Pleasant flats, Thunder fallsand Blue pools (which weren't actually that blue!). We had serious cabin fever from the bus and even some ice cream didn't seem to help! !We weren't particularly that motivated to go and see the sights of Wanaka that evening but I promised myself I'd get up early for a walk to the lake before the bus departed in the morning. While I was quietly drinking my tea on the hostel balcony an almighty sound started bellowing through the town. The air raid signal was being sounded; panicked and confused (I'd only ever heard this at the War museum) I turned to Lizzie to prepared our exit. Lizzie laughed and kindly informed me that this signal is to let the volunteer firemen know that they are required to go and fight a fire. Seriously.... why would you use the same signal as the war air raid one, surely it gives the elderly folk a heart attack, not to mention confusing the tourists

Bailey's bit: Being the small world we live in, in Wanaka live Lucy Appleton the sister of my long time friends Marc and Liam. obviously with is beibg in the area we had to meet up, unfortunately by the time we arrived Lucy had to be in work but luckily her work was a bar or 'the working mans club of Wanaka' as she so put it. Over a drink we caught up on her journey to and time in this small mountain town and she told us stories which only made me more jealous of this country!
Daily mileage: 3 (am) ran a few loops of Franz Joseph before our early bus departure.4 (pm) had a brief explore around the edge of the lake near the town, although my legs felt drained after the long day on the bus!

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