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NZ 2015: That Wanaka
posted : Sunday, January 10, 2016
Had quite a bit to do at Wanaka and only one night planned so we decided to try to reach as early as possible. So after breakfast and checking out..left Franz Josef at about 9.
Looking at the temperature and deciding that since we would be in the car most of the time..decided to go out in shorts. Bad idea. Still freezing and by the time we reach Wanaka for lunch I had to change back to jeans -.-
Anyway the usual stopovers and photos on the way to Wanaka:
Sam's behind the wheels!
Pretty epic moment with roadkills.
Stopover #1
To prove that we were there exactly 50 years after the plaque was unveiled. Pretty spooky coincidence.
Stopover #2. Lake Wanaka in our sights!
Reached Wanaka in time for lunch! Spotted one burger bar and decided to just go for it. 
Lunch at Red Star burger
Accommodation wasn't available for check in so early so we headed out to our first attraction - Puzzling World!
 
Some of the more interesting installations. The Tilted House.
A Love-Hate relationship.
This reminds me of Trick Eye museum.
Headed out to the outdoor maze after that. There were basically two modes - you can either find your way to all four towers in a specified order, or not. Thought we would go for the more difficult challenge but ended up outwitted coz we missed one turn and reached the second tower first - and couldn't find our way back to that damned first tower. Oh well. But it was good fun. 
Started out with a strategy then got horribly lost.
Us at the blue tower.
Hello.
There's a section with various puzzles for visitors to solve too.
Went to check in at our accom for the night! Got a triple room for ourselves again at Wanaka Bakpaka. The lounge has awesome views of the lake! And this very nice toilet/bathroom which I happily hogged for half an hour or so that night lolol.
Wanaka Bakpaka.
Great view of the lake!
The lounge.
Our triple room
Headed out again to buy groceries first, then explore Lake Wanaka.  
One of my favourites.
We had to do that. Hahaha.
The emo pose.
Found that Wanaka tree!
Yep. THAT Wanaka Tree.
Went back to prep and cook dinner. Alfresco dining with sunset view of Lake Wanaka. Bliss :) And somehow braved the cold to head out for a night stroll towards the town area. Contemplated popping into one of the bars (quite a few of them but somehow only one of them is really happening) but didn't. 
Dinner! Pan fried some chicken wings, fried broccoli.
Up early the next day, again to maximize the time we had left in Wanaka. Also coz we needed to cook breakfast hahah didn't need to do that for the past two days but Wanaka Bakpaka didn't offer anything free. Chopping garlic for the garlic bread takes up quite a bit of time though. 
Breakfast with a view
Checked out after that. Didn't necessarily have anything planned and the tracks all seemed pretty long. Looked at the map and decided to just drive around hunting for the designated photo points. Think we managed to cover like 3-4 of them?
Photo point #1 takes us to a nice little stream
Signature pose
Sam calls this her dream house
Outlet Lake.
Photo point #...lost count.
Drove back to town and stopped for lunch - fish and chips again hahah with the usual mountain of fries which we can't finish and took away. 
There's always room for gelato!
One last look at Wanaka.
Andddd of we go towards Te Anau! |
