Wanaka (6 Dec 2010)

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Monday 6th December 2010 (Franz Joseph – Wanaka)

Our coach pulls away and we’re subjected to the Good Mornin’ DVD again (although Richard had missed it yesterday morning with the extra night’s stay and had been annoying Joanne whistling it all day!). We arrived at Lake Matheson hoping for mirror views of Mount Cook, but as we made our way round to the vantage point the heavens open. Joanne managed to get a few quick snaps but Mount Cook was nowhere to be seen behind the mass of clouds. We hurried back to the start to avoid getting soaked and treated ourselves with a nice full English breakfast!

Our last stop before crossing the Southern Alps was at Ship Creek, a nice beach but unfortunately plagued with sand flies. A quick trip up the tower to take in the views, and everyone was back on the coach ahead of time to escape being eaten.

Over the mountain range and a final photo call at Lake Hawea before reaching Wanaka. We checked into BASE only to find the private rooms were more like a 4* hotel than a hostel. Our driver had asked those coupling up to consider their dorm mates and upgrade to a double as he had arranged a discounted price. The original 2 doubles booked suddenly grew into 7!

The hostel arranged a guided hike up Mount Iron offering a free drink for all attendees, as well as another for both of us for our honeymoon. The guide said there’s a competition at the top, so when we reach the summit he posed a question and we all ran off to read the plaques for the answer. Joanne used her head and ran to a circular plaque in the middle when she noticed the ones we were reading were historic information, and called out the correct name winning a free night at BASE hostel much to the dismay of the others!

Everyone gathered in the bar that evening and Joanne surprised the bus when she got up to sing and won the karaoke competition, a 2-4-1 jet boat voucher for Queenstown.

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Comments

[Chris and Nikki]

Absolutely breathtaking picture!

[honeymoonheaven]

Thank you!
It wasn't the best day for pictures but glad one turned out!