Wondrous Wanaka
Can I just say these past couple of weeks have flown by!? I suppose being on vacation for a week helped the days go faster than usual, but still. Since my last blog, I have been busy seeing more of this beautiful country and the variety of geographic features it contains. I decided to split my vacation into two different blogs due to the two different cities I visited and the MANY pictures I took at each place. So here's Part 1: Wondrous Wanaka.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28th
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28th
My vacation began on Wednesday, early in the morning...made even earlier because I waited until Tuesday evening to pack (which means I was up quite late - but hey, it's my M.O.) Because of my late night/early morning situation, I was desperate and drank instant coffee Wednesday morning - yes, it was a weak moment for me but necessary at the time. ;)
Remember, I was traveling with my host family for the first half of the trip so we all went to the airport together in a shuttle. I was awake around 4:45 a.m. in order to catch our 6:00 a.m. shuttle to make it to the airport for our 8:30 a.m. flight. Our reward for such an early morning was a beautiful sunrise...check it out!
We all got our luggage checked in and then I was able to have REAL coffee - thank goodness for overpriced coffee shops in airports! And while I had a Bacon 'N Egg McMuffin, I have to say it tasted better than those in the USA - but since I rarely eat at McDonald's I'm probably not the best judge of flavor!
We finished our quick breakfast and it was already time to board our flight to Queenstown! I unfortunately had an aisle seat, but was still able to see the views out the window. It was a pretty short flight - not even 2 hours. My first impression of the South Island? AMAZING. The guy sitting next to the window was nice enough to take a picture for me (which is the one I posted on Facebook). Then, he emailed me another picture he was able to take with his phone but couldn't capture with mine in time. How can you not just immediately love this view?!
After landing in Queenstown, and walking across the tarmac to go inside the airport (cool, right?), we got our rental vehicle and then we were on our way to Wanaka! It was an hour drive but part of it was on a winding road through the mountains...so the scenic route! We didn't stop to take pictures, but here's one I was able to capture through the window.
We got to our Airbnb house around 1:00 p.m. with no issues, and was it ever a welcome sight! By this time, I was hungry and tired...which was soon forgotten once I was able to explore the house. Personally, I think I got the best room because I had a balcony with a view of the lake and mountains! I seriously loved my room and was only a little upset I would be spending just 3 nights there...ah well, the struggles of vacation! ;) What do you think?
I realize now that I didn't take many pictures of the house - in fact I only have a couple other pictures besides the ones posted above. So, for your viewing pleasure, here they are!
We all got settled in and I watched the two girls while the others went on a grocery run to New World (another common grocery store chain in New Zealand besides Countdown). After a quick lunch of sandwiches, I decided to go out and explore Wanaka while the others rested at the house. The temperature was definitely cooler, but I still couldn't resist wearing shorts, a tank top, and my trusty Chacos. The population of Wanaka is about 7,850, but it seemed much smaller than that. My first stop was the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Don't worry - I didn't buy anything. :) It was, however, one of the nicest ones I have seen in terms of quantity and how everything was displayed. Then, I was off to the lake. I decided the best way to explore Wanaka was to go geocaching! One thing I noticed about the trees in Wanaka was how climbable they were and how prominent willow trees were by the water. The lake was beautiful with the mountains beside it - I took a few moments to simply absorb the scenery.
Once I finished attempting to be a photographer, I continued on my quest to find the nearest geocache...and I was met with success! There were people around so I had to be sneaky, but I was able to sign and return it without anyone noticing. It was hidden in a tree under some rocks, so it blended in quite well. When I sign caches here, I always have to remember to write the date with the day first, then the month and year following. I think I have only forgotten once or twice so far. :)
After I found the geocache, I realized I was quite close to the famous Wanaka tree. I continued on past the purple sculpture, over a wooden bridge, and through the woods before I came upon the tree and the small group of people present to photograph it. You look at it and think, "Man, it's only a tree," but it's actually quite neat to see because it's just growing in the lake...all by itself. Again, I didn't have the best lighting, but I tried my best! For a better experience of the tree, just Google "#ThatWanakaTree."
Before I headed back to the house, I decided I had time to find one more cache. Naturally, this one was at the top of a pretty good incline (as are many of the caches I've found in New Zealand!). This cache was located at a war memorial sight and at an area with a great view of Wanaka. Unfortunately, there were a few people present so I was not able to find the cache. Don't worry...I came back the next day. ;) I did enjoy the view before I walked back for dinner. Check it out! - again, the sun didn't make for the best picture quality.
Back at the house, I actually put on a long sleeved shirt because it was cooling down pretty quickly. It felt so nice to have autumn weather though! :) We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and enjoyed some time by the fireplace before heading to bed. I was quite exhausted at this point, having walked almost 15,000 steps and going off of 5 hours of sleep.
THURSDAY, MARCH 29th
Remember, I was traveling with my host family for the first half of the trip so we all went to the airport together in a shuttle. I was awake around 4:45 a.m. in order to catch our 6:00 a.m. shuttle to make it to the airport for our 8:30 a.m. flight. Our reward for such an early morning was a beautiful sunrise...check it out!
We all got our luggage checked in and then I was able to have REAL coffee - thank goodness for overpriced coffee shops in airports! And while I had a Bacon 'N Egg McMuffin, I have to say it tasted better than those in the USA - but since I rarely eat at McDonald's I'm probably not the best judge of flavor!
We finished our quick breakfast and it was already time to board our flight to Queenstown! I unfortunately had an aisle seat, but was still able to see the views out the window. It was a pretty short flight - not even 2 hours. My first impression of the South Island? AMAZING. The guy sitting next to the window was nice enough to take a picture for me (which is the one I posted on Facebook). Then, he emailed me another picture he was able to take with his phone but couldn't capture with mine in time. How can you not just immediately love this view?!
Here's the picture emailed to me - it's hard to capture how blue the water looked, but that was the main reason for this picture being taken.
After landing in Queenstown, and walking across the tarmac to go inside the airport (cool, right?), we got our rental vehicle and then we were on our way to Wanaka! It was an hour drive but part of it was on a winding road through the mountains...so the scenic route! We didn't stop to take pictures, but here's one I was able to capture through the window.
We got to our Airbnb house around 1:00 p.m. with no issues, and was it ever a welcome sight! By this time, I was hungry and tired...which was soon forgotten once I was able to explore the house. Personally, I think I got the best room because I had a balcony with a view of the lake and mountains! I seriously loved my room and was only a little upset I would be spending just 3 nights there...ah well, the struggles of vacation! ;) What do you think?
The view from my balcony - I know there are trees in the way, but I still thought it was a beautiful view to wake up to each day. :)
Here's my room! Not visible was a tiny window on wall by the right side of my bed and a larger window on the wall opposite the bed. My favorite feature besides the balcony? A lock on the door - I don't have one on my door back at my room in Browns Bay! :)
I realize now that I didn't take many pictures of the house - in fact I only have a couple other pictures besides the ones posted above. So, for your viewing pleasure, here they are!
I loved this decoration...makes me want to get one of Minnesota!
What a unique staircase to have in a house...I felt like I was in a lighthouse! However, they were a bit chilly in the morning and squeaky at night (especially when you were trying to sneak upstairs after everyone else was in bed.)
We all got settled in and I watched the two girls while the others went on a grocery run to New World (another common grocery store chain in New Zealand besides Countdown). After a quick lunch of sandwiches, I decided to go out and explore Wanaka while the others rested at the house. The temperature was definitely cooler, but I still couldn't resist wearing shorts, a tank top, and my trusty Chacos. The population of Wanaka is about 7,850, but it seemed much smaller than that. My first stop was the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Don't worry - I didn't buy anything. :) It was, however, one of the nicest ones I have seen in terms of quantity and how everything was displayed. Then, I was off to the lake. I decided the best way to explore Wanaka was to go geocaching! One thing I noticed about the trees in Wanaka was how climbable they were and how prominent willow trees were by the water. The lake was beautiful with the mountains beside it - I took a few moments to simply absorb the scenery.
These pictures do not do the view justice, but I tried to capture it! :) The setting sun didn't help matters much...
Once I finished attempting to be a photographer, I continued on my quest to find the nearest geocache...and I was met with success! There were people around so I had to be sneaky, but I was able to sign and return it without anyone noticing. It was hidden in a tree under some rocks, so it blended in quite well. When I sign caches here, I always have to remember to write the date with the day first, then the month and year following. I think I have only forgotten once or twice so far. :)
After I found the geocache, I realized I was quite close to the famous Wanaka tree. I continued on past the purple sculpture, over a wooden bridge, and through the woods before I came upon the tree and the small group of people present to photograph it. You look at it and think, "Man, it's only a tree," but it's actually quite neat to see because it's just growing in the lake...all by itself. Again, I didn't have the best lighting, but I tried my best! For a better experience of the tree, just Google "#ThatWanakaTree."
Purple Sculpture
Info about #ThatWanakaTree
I honestly felt like I was back home while I was in Wanaka, due to their hiking paths through the woods. :)
Here's #ThatWanakaTree!
Before I headed back to the house, I decided I had time to find one more cache. Naturally, this one was at the top of a pretty good incline (as are many of the caches I've found in New Zealand!). This cache was located at a war memorial sight and at an area with a great view of Wanaka. Unfortunately, there were a few people present so I was not able to find the cache. Don't worry...I came back the next day. ;) I did enjoy the view before I walked back for dinner. Check it out! - again, the sun didn't make for the best picture quality.
Back at the house, I actually put on a long sleeved shirt because it was cooling down pretty quickly. It felt so nice to have autumn weather though! :) We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and enjoyed some time by the fireplace before heading to bed. I was quite exhausted at this point, having walked almost 15,000 steps and going off of 5 hours of sleep.
THURSDAY, MARCH 29th
I got to sleep in!! It was very refreshing. The house actually had a french press coffee maker, so I didn't even have to have instant coffee for breakfast. :) We created a plan where us ladies chose to go to a lavender farm for most of the day. The weather was a tad overcast, but the sun shone through eventually! Unfortunately, the lavender was out of season as it was now autumn, but there were still beautiful flowers, animals, and fun lavender products and treats to eat. There were also colorful trees representing the autumn season well. Here's some of what we saw at the farm!
Once we had finished walking around the grounds and visiting the animals, we went back inside for afternoon tea. Us adults had lavender tea (very tasty and calming), we all shared lavender cake and a lavender cookie (delicious), and I also had a lavender chocolate (YUM). It was all delicious and quite fun to have a tea party with delicate china cups and saucers.
After tea, Jane bought some lavender seasoning so we could make our own lavender tea and cookies back home. We then went back to the Salvation Army (well it was the second time for me) so they could peruse and the girls could find small treasures to buy. Since the store was so close to the geocache I didn't find yesterday, I decided to go for my afternoon walkabout. It was a perfect sunny, fall day to be outside. First, I went and found my second geocache in Wanaka. I was just in time because as I was signing the log, a couple cars arrived so I sneakily put back the container before the people could see what I was doing.
I sat in the tree for awhile and then I went back to the main path and continued exploring along the trail. Wouldn't you know it, there was another geocache close by! This one was quite easy to find, but fun nonetheless. And, it was much easier to avoid people since the path was not busy at all.
I knew that would be the last find of the day because there were no other caches close by. I went a little further along the trail until I came to a little point where there were a couple large rocks. Ever the tourist, I decided a jumping picture was necessary at this place. Let me tell you, taking a selfie jumping picture isn't as easy as it looks - at least not for me! 20 pictures later...but seriously I probably did take that many. :) It was worth it and I got a great view of the lake and mountains in the process!
At this point, I knew I should head back before it got too chilly and dark out. On my way back, I saw the most climbable tree beside the path. It was basically asking me to climb it...so I did! :) The branches were just spread out in a way that was meant to have a person on them. I said it before and I'll say it again, I felt like I was back in MN here in Wanaka. Trees, lakes, gravel, nature...only the mountains gave it away that I was NOT in MN! :)
Back on the trail, I walked until I got back to #ThatWanakaTree...and took one last picture of it. I really like how this one turned out with the lighting and background!
Guess what?! Dinner was fish and chips! I was quite excited. While the fish was delicious...the chips were definitely not as good as the fish and chips restaurant back in Browns Bay. However, it was a great meal...made even better because we didn't have to cook! After dinner, Jane got the girls ready and into bed and then her and I went to the movies at Cinema Paradiso. This theater we went to was really awesome! The seating options were normal movie theater seats, couches, or this car replica type thing. We ended up getting the normal seats because the couches were full and we didn't really want to sit in the car. They were still comfy though! :) Plus, you could purchase adult beverages, snacks, and/or coffee (served in cups and saucers). The walls inside were covered with many, many movie posters and it was fun to look and see which movies I had already seen. The movie we went to was Red Sparrow - very serious, but intriguing! Besides the unique seating, this theater also pauses the movie halfway through and provides freshly baked cookies and ice cream for people to purchase. Naturally, we did this. I got a triple chocolate cookie (still warm), mocha ice cream, and a flat white coffee. DELICIOUS! Once everyone had their treats, the movie started up again.
The movie finished and we walked back to our house since it was so close. I read a little bit before going to sleep and even got a pretty good picture of the moon. Well ok, it's not super great, but the best picture of the moon I've ever taken with my phone so far! :)
Step Count: 17,634.
FRIDAY, MARCH 30th
Back at the house, we had afternoon tea and then Emily, the grandparents, and I went down to the lake to watch the Catalina Flying Boat plane land on Lake Wanaka. Many people were all around the shore and there were professional photographers with huge cameras ready to capture this plane landing and taking off again. We had a pretty good view of it all - what a once in a lifetime experience!
Once the Catalina had taken off again, I left the others and went on my last walkabout in Wanaka. I was on the opposite side of #ThatWanakaTree, so I was able to see another perspective of the lake. And, of course, there was geocaching to do! I found a total of 3 caches on my walk, and all in different places. The first one was in a crack between two large rocks, with a few smaller rocks on top to hide it. The second one was in a hole in a tree under a pine cone and some bark pieces. The last one was under a cement slab by the lake. It was quite windy when I got to my final find (located on Eely Point). Walking back, I heard some planes, looked up and saw more practicing for the show the next day. So fun!
I made it back to the house and had to pack up my duffle bag and backpack because it was my last night in Wanaka! Once everything was packed, I enjoyed one last cup of tea on my deck and just enjoyed the silent, dark night. Then, I went to bed because I was going to have an early morning the next day.
Step Count: 15,563.
Wanaka was an absolutely beautiful, enjoyable place to visit in the South Island. I truly loved it and miss the amazing mountains surrounding the lake there. If only Browns Bay had mountains...then it'd be pretty perfect here! :) There were many backpackers and camper vans in the area - so a lot of people my age. Each day I tried to cross something off my list of what I wanted to do in Wanaka, and I think I did a pretty good job for the most part. There was a hike I had wanted to complete, but there just wasn't enough time - if only I had had one more day! Despite not being able to do the hike, I still saw a lot of Wanaka and the sights the hiking trail around the lake provided. For being only an hour from Queenstown, I'd definitely recommend going to Wanaka if you ever visit New Zealand. I hope to make it back to the South Island later on in the year to see more of the mountains and landscape it has to offer.
Side note: I had my 10th gelato cone from Gingersnap this week! Apple, cinnamon yogurt flavored. :)
End of Part 1: Wondrous Wanaka; Stay tuned for Part 2 - coming to you next week!
Krista
The lavender fields with the mountains in the background. Oh, and the colorful trees too!
It's hard to tell, but this pony had the bluest eyes...quite intriguing!
If you needed a day brightener...here it is!
Once we had finished walking around the grounds and visiting the animals, we went back inside for afternoon tea. Us adults had lavender tea (very tasty and calming), we all shared lavender cake and a lavender cookie (delicious), and I also had a lavender chocolate (YUM). It was all delicious and quite fun to have a tea party with delicate china cups and saucers.
After tea, Jane bought some lavender seasoning so we could make our own lavender tea and cookies back home. We then went back to the Salvation Army (well it was the second time for me) so they could peruse and the girls could find small treasures to buy. Since the store was so close to the geocache I didn't find yesterday, I decided to go for my afternoon walkabout. It was a perfect sunny, fall day to be outside. First, I went and found my second geocache in Wanaka. I was just in time because as I was signing the log, a couple cars arrived so I sneakily put back the container before the people could see what I was doing.
While this may look like it's easy to spot, it's actually not unless you are specifically looking for it. :)
Can you see it now? Yeah, thought so! Just so your curiosity doesn't get the better of you, the cache is hidden in the dark area at the end of the stone wall where it meets the purple flowers, if that makes sense. There's a hole there where the two rocks are with the cache. Fun stuff! :) In addition to avoiding people, I also had to avoid the bees...there were many!
At this point, I had worked up an appetite and decided I had earned a gelato cone. I went to Black Peak Gelato and chose plain ol' chocolate. But was it ever delicious! They serve all their cones like this, so they have a "peak," thus the name of the place. :)
Once I finished my cone, I went walking back to #ThatWanakaTree to take another picture, and then continued on the hiking trail to see what I would find.
Here are better pictures of the view of Wanaka.
At this point, I had worked up an appetite and decided I had earned a gelato cone. I went to Black Peak Gelato and chose plain ol' chocolate. But was it ever delicious! They serve all their cones like this, so they have a "peak," thus the name of the place. :)
Once I finished my cone, I went walking back to #ThatWanakaTree to take another picture, and then continued on the hiking trail to see what I would find.
There was a side path that led to this pathway to a large pine tree...pretty cool!
Of course I had to climb a tree too...remember how I mentioned there were many climbable trees here! :)
I sat in the tree for awhile and then I went back to the main path and continued exploring along the trail. Wouldn't you know it, there was another geocache close by! This one was quite easy to find, but fun nonetheless. And, it was much easier to avoid people since the path was not busy at all.
I knew that would be the last find of the day because there were no other caches close by. I went a little further along the trail until I came to a little point where there were a couple large rocks. Ever the tourist, I decided a jumping picture was necessary at this place. Let me tell you, taking a selfie jumping picture isn't as easy as it looks - at least not for me! 20 pictures later...but seriously I probably did take that many. :) It was worth it and I got a great view of the lake and mountains in the process!
Here's the best two I was able to capture! :)
At this point, I knew I should head back before it got too chilly and dark out. On my way back, I saw the most climbable tree beside the path. It was basically asking me to climb it...so I did! :) The branches were just spread out in a way that was meant to have a person on them. I said it before and I'll say it again, I felt like I was back in MN here in Wanaka. Trees, lakes, gravel, nature...only the mountains gave it away that I was NOT in MN! :)
See? I dare you to walk by this and not climb it.
Tree hugger for life.
Back on the trail, I walked until I got back to #ThatWanakaTree...and took one last picture of it. I really like how this one turned out with the lighting and background!
Guess what?! Dinner was fish and chips! I was quite excited. While the fish was delicious...the chips were definitely not as good as the fish and chips restaurant back in Browns Bay. However, it was a great meal...made even better because we didn't have to cook! After dinner, Jane got the girls ready and into bed and then her and I went to the movies at Cinema Paradiso. This theater we went to was really awesome! The seating options were normal movie theater seats, couches, or this car replica type thing. We ended up getting the normal seats because the couches were full and we didn't really want to sit in the car. They were still comfy though! :) Plus, you could purchase adult beverages, snacks, and/or coffee (served in cups and saucers). The walls inside were covered with many, many movie posters and it was fun to look and see which movies I had already seen. The movie we went to was Red Sparrow - very serious, but intriguing! Besides the unique seating, this theater also pauses the movie halfway through and provides freshly baked cookies and ice cream for people to purchase. Naturally, we did this. I got a triple chocolate cookie (still warm), mocha ice cream, and a flat white coffee. DELICIOUS! Once everyone had their treats, the movie started up again.
This wasn't our exact theater we were in...I just got this from the internet. But, the concept is the same! Car, couches, regular seats...pretty cool! :)
My movie treats!
The movie finished and we walked back to our house since it was so close. I read a little bit before going to sleep and even got a pretty good picture of the moon. Well ok, it's not super great, but the best picture of the moon I've ever taken with my phone so far! :)
Step Count: 17,634.
FRIDAY, MARCH 30th
This morning's wake-up was a little earlier than yesterday because it was the first day of the airshow: Warbirds Over Wanaka! We got ready and headed to the lake to catch a shuttle to the show. However, as it turned out, that was too expensive. So, we ended up taking the van anyways. While that was getting all figured out, Emily showed me the eels (YUCK) and then I took the girls to the nearby playground with the awesome dinosaur slide. Imagine climbing up the tail of a dinosaur and then sliding down its long neck..cool right!?
Eventually, we got to the airshow. The location was beautiful, warm, and sunny - perfect for me! Since this was the first day of the show, the planes were actually just practicing but it was still amazing to watch and quite loud. I walked around and looked at the different planes on display and whatever else was set up for the show. We spent about 4 hours at the show before we went back to our house. I got some fun snapshots of the pilots practicing and a couple of USA planes too! Here's a LINK for more information about the show if you're interested!
Morning sun over Wanaka.
How disgusting is this?! It's like having snakes in the lake...ugh.
I forgot to take a picture, so here's one from the internet. There was a sign posted saying a local artist was going to paint different scenes of Wanaka on it soon!
Eventually, we got to the airshow. The location was beautiful, warm, and sunny - perfect for me! Since this was the first day of the show, the planes were actually just practicing but it was still amazing to watch and quite loud. I walked around and looked at the different planes on display and whatever else was set up for the show. We spent about 4 hours at the show before we went back to our house. I got some fun snapshots of the pilots practicing and a couple of USA planes too! Here's a LINK for more information about the show if you're interested!
Back at the house, we had afternoon tea and then Emily, the grandparents, and I went down to the lake to watch the Catalina Flying Boat plane land on Lake Wanaka. Many people were all around the shore and there were professional photographers with huge cameras ready to capture this plane landing and taking off again. We had a pretty good view of it all - what a once in a lifetime experience!
Once the Catalina had taken off again, I left the others and went on my last walkabout in Wanaka. I was on the opposite side of #ThatWanakaTree, so I was able to see another perspective of the lake. And, of course, there was geocaching to do! I found a total of 3 caches on my walk, and all in different places. The first one was in a crack between two large rocks, with a few smaller rocks on top to hide it. The second one was in a hole in a tree under a pine cone and some bark pieces. The last one was under a cement slab by the lake. It was quite windy when I got to my final find (located on Eely Point). Walking back, I heard some planes, looked up and saw more practicing for the show the next day. So fun!
#1
#2 Hidden under the pine cone and bark!
#3
View from where I found the 3rd geocache.
The path I walked along. :)
Practicing for the airshow!
I made it back to the house and had to pack up my duffle bag and backpack because it was my last night in Wanaka! Once everything was packed, I enjoyed one last cup of tea on my deck and just enjoyed the silent, dark night. Then, I went to bed because I was going to have an early morning the next day.
Step Count: 15,563.
By the way, here's the house I stayed at in Wanaka. You can see my balcony! :)
Wanaka was an absolutely beautiful, enjoyable place to visit in the South Island. I truly loved it and miss the amazing mountains surrounding the lake there. If only Browns Bay had mountains...then it'd be pretty perfect here! :) There were many backpackers and camper vans in the area - so a lot of people my age. Each day I tried to cross something off my list of what I wanted to do in Wanaka, and I think I did a pretty good job for the most part. There was a hike I had wanted to complete, but there just wasn't enough time - if only I had had one more day! Despite not being able to do the hike, I still saw a lot of Wanaka and the sights the hiking trail around the lake provided. For being only an hour from Queenstown, I'd definitely recommend going to Wanaka if you ever visit New Zealand. I hope to make it back to the South Island later on in the year to see more of the mountains and landscape it has to offer.
Side note: I had my 10th gelato cone from Gingersnap this week! Apple, cinnamon yogurt flavored. :)
End of Part 1: Wondrous Wanaka; Stay tuned for Part 2 - coming to you next week!
Krista
You have been to some amazing places. Love the pictures
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! It was an awesome vacation. :)
ReplyDelete