Wanaka onwards...

The journey from Wanaka to Franz Josef is a 3hr 30minute journey assuming you don't stop. This is difficult though when you travel through such pretty places! 

Here's some that I liked:

Albert Town

Cute, small, didn't stay long ;) 

Lake Hawae

Lake Wanaka

Fantail falls

Next to the water fall and discovered people had done this:

There were loads of them!! 

So I joined in... This was mine. Believe it or not there is a lovely waterfall behind this ;) 

Towards the end of my journey the road starts to look like the driveway up to a stately home with such neat boarders.

Nearly there and managed to catch the sunset :) 

At sunset I also noticed people had done this: 

I may have myself made one of these myself :) Wanna know what mine says? You'll have to go and look ;) 

I arrive at my hostel. The reception closed at 9pm and I arrived at 10pm. Luckily a guy pointed out the key on the wall waiting for me. I get into my room and apart from some mozzies it's ok. It's actually much better than ok, the previous view spoiled me ;)

I'm now so tired I neeeeeed sleep! Night night! 

Route 6 to Wanaka

I set of to Fox Glacier and the hike that I intend to do. My drive starts stunning and keeps delivering. I quickly begin climbing into the hills with the excitement of tight turns and regular lay-by photo stops. 

Always time for a road-side awesome car selfie. I have discovered the car has cruise control, at this point I wouldn't be suprised if the was a massage setting for the seat. 

The hills are greener than this photo captures but they are really rollin'. I feel like an ant weaving my way through a green fabric market stall. 

The road edges are graced with these pretty blue/purple flowers. The wire here is to stop you falling into the river below. I lost count of the rivers I crossed... Luckily I realised they all have numbered signs ;) 

Wanaka!

I have planned to visit but not stop overnight in Wanaka and when I arrive I realise I have made the right decision. This place feels beautiful but not someone I feel I need to stay a long time in. It's a beachy place with water sports and lacks the diversity, street performances and woodlands of Queenstown. It is beautiful though :) 

The beach is pebbly with woody bits which means no sand castles will be built here anytime soon but people are all over the beach lapping up the sun. No being a sun-bunny myself I look way over dressed because I can't be bothered to put suntan everywhere for this short stop :) 

The town has an almost Wild West feel to it and the prevailing country style of music just adds to this flavour. There is another Patagonia Chocolate ice cream place but I am good - Not going to have two ice creams in a day am I? I will be living on the beach in a month! 

I opt for a cold drink. This is L&P which stands for Lemon & Paeroa. It's a sparkling lemon and fizzy water drink that is made in New Zealand. It is delicious! 

I have walked past an Estate agent and picked up a brochure out of curiosity. I flick through the Queenstown property. It's the stuff over a million pounds that I like the best... Shocker! ;) I better work pretty hard on getting fusion working I guess ;)  

Leaving Queenstown #sadface

Today I open my eyes and am greeted by this: 

I must have done something generating some good Karma at some point I think. I sit up and just stare for what feels like a minute but turns out to be about fifteen. I feel like I could look at these mountains forever. The view is so clear, so deep so rich the soul falls through the eyes and out into the vast space unfolding. I can't get up, on a normal day at home it's hard, now? Haha! 

I pull back the curtains. If I'm going to delay the start to my day and be so indulgent then I might as well go the whole way with this. 

This is my reward :) 

I spent another hour looking at this view and composing words to this blog. Shower time. The shower in this awesome pad is awesome! A wide hot shower at the time the fragrant smell outdoors waft around the room. I look out of the window to see the cause: 

This doesn't show it well but there was a small garden out the back filled with scrubs and flowers. The owners clearly take pride in their rental here :) 

I get myself ready and packed into the car. I don't think I've stopped smiling for two days now. I have a small heat rash on my upper arm, I just grinned at it and moved on.

I drove into town and parked up. I now know my way around easily which is not that normal for me but everything feels easy here. I walk into the main town and I head for the shops. I need supplies for fox glacier. I sort this and head to the ice cream shop.... It's just so good!

Now I am sitting with my ice cream and listening to a very talented lady street performer sing 'Coke away with me'. I want to ask here why she would ever want to leave here? :) 

I can't resist going to my favourite cafe for lunch. 

I get some money out and head to the car up some steps passing a 50 ish year old lady who says "never get old" to me as I pass her "I'll give it my best shot." I reply with a smile as I pass her. 

My car is hot and I sit for a moment to let it cool. This is my view from the car:

I am not off up the coast. I can't quite believe how good my Queenstown stay has been :) It's simply the best!