Wanaka to Lake Tekapo

 We were up early and I packed up my tent and Hafeeza dropped me at the Wanaka Marina for my boat tour to Mou Waho. A large island in Lake Wanaka.  The tour was from 9-noon and it was first class.  


I sat next to an older gentlemen on the boat who had just lost his house in the LA wildfire.  He wasn’t home of course so he lost all his treasures in the fire.  

The skipper explained that the nz conservation is utilizing the island as a non predator zone to bring back an endangered species of Yeta.  (A sweet friendly little bird that does not fly, see photo below) 


The hike up to the Aretha pool was only a few kms and after the fox glacier shenanigan it was a breeze.  Above the pool was another short hike of a few hundred metres to the most amazing view of both the pool just below and Lake Wanaka in the background.




Above is the rock where I lay in the sun after taking these photos.

Below is the video showing 360.


We arrived back at noon and shortly after I was on the road towards Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo.  The most breath taking views today but I missed taking photos as the road was narrow and I was getting tired.  

I did stop at this cute little farm store and took photos of their dried flower motives for Nikola.  Incredible merchandise as well, sitting way out near a station in the country.  




This one above is in their wine cellar.

This is a sculpture of the famous ram named Shrek that is a legend in these parts.  I happened to meet the two men who sculpted it at the site so I asked them to hop in the photo.

Below I finally after 2.5 hours arrived at my hostel in Lake Tekapo.  A five star hostel - my first experience at one this nice.  I can’t even explain how beautiful this lake is - a turquoise blue that goes on forever- framed by the Southern Alps.  

I’m going to walk the peninsula trail tomorrow so I went to find the trail head tonight.  The sun was just right for these photos.  Back to the hostel now to finish my blog.  Hugs to all of you who are reading it.










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