Wanaka!

I instantly fell in LOVE with Wanaka. After our short stay in Christchurch, we headed south towards Wanaka. The first two hours of driving was rather boring, with not much scenery to enjoy along the way. However, once we started getting closer to our destination, I got my first glimpse of the stunning Southern Alps!

We stopped for lunch at Lake Tekapo, and I'm not sure we could have picked a more picturesque spot to have a picnic.

Our lunchtime views...

Water being used to generate power!

Late in the day we found availability in a 4 share dorm room at Mountain View Backpackers, which was not our first choice but ended up being a decent place to stay for the night. We shared our room with two girls from the UK, one of whom happened to be currently living in Melbourne and working for the exact same substitute teaching agency that I was working for last year. Small world, eh?! That night we enjoyed delicious dinner and drinks at Wanaka Ale House followed by amazing gelato at Black Peak Gelato (where we would return 2 more times to enjoy different flavors!).

On our first full day in Wanaka, we hiked the Rob Roy Glacier track. We were blessed with spectacular views on the way to the hike and also with fantastic weather.

Did you notice the reflection?!

Erik and Rob Roy Glacier

A Kea, the world's only alpine parrot.

 

The rivers and lakes get their awesome color from minerals in the water.

Erik and I made friends with this guy on our way down!

After our hike, we checked into Wanaka Bakpaka, which had the most amazing hostel kitchen EVER and also the absolute best views of Lake Wanaka.

Fantastic lounge/dining room. Cannot believe I did not get a picture of the kitchen!

That night, we got to reunite with an old friend, Mark. Mark and Erik met in 2004 while working at Coble Waterski School in North Carolina. We were very generously treated to dinner at a fantastic American-like steakhouse called Lone Star followed by yummy drinks at a funky small movie theater downstairs. It was fantastic to catch up with an old friend and Mark really laid on the hospitality, inviting us to come back to Wanaka to stay at the resort that he manages. More on that part of our trip later!