Maybe in Oz

The drive from Queenstown to the Glaciers was an all day journey filled with yet more stunning scenery.  We drove back up the hill to Wanaka, and then around Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka.   Our new trip mascot at Lake Hawea Our first stop was a short hike to see the Blue Pools near Makarora.  I thought the name blue pools was a bit of a misnomer, they were more amazingly bright turquoise pools.  There were quite a few people sitting in the sand enjoying the sun, but only a couple fools braved a dip in the chilly water. Blue Pools Amanda and Missy crossing one of the suspension bridges Group shot at the Blue Pools Our tourist pose The next stop was at Fantail Falls, and then just down the road again at Thunder Creek Falls.  They were both gorgeous, though at that point we started to get a bit numb of gorgeous waterfalls!  I could never get enough of that turquoise water though. Thundercreek Falls We kept driving and eventually ...

We planned four days in Queenstown to make sure we had plenty of time for all of the fun things we wanted to try.  First up on the way into town was jet boating in the Shotover River.  Phil and I had gone jet boating before so sat this one out with Amanda, but it was great just sitting and soaking in the scenery.  Missy and Anita had a blast on their ride around the river.  Jet boating was invented in New Zealand and what makes it so unique is it can travel through very shallow water and do 360 degree spins. The Beautiful Shotover River  Anita and Missy waiving as they zoom by 360 degree turns The next thing on the list after jet boating was paragliding.  I've been wanting to do this for several years now, because I figured it was the closest thing to feeling like a bird.  We tried to go in the early afternoon, but the winds weren't right so we came back later that day.  We rode the gondola up and then had a 10 minute hike to t...

We took it easy the day after the big race , starting with a nice lie in.  Then I took the crew to see the Wanaka Tree.  What's the Wanaka Tree, you ask?  That's what they asked too.  I kept seeing pictures of a tree in Lake Wanaka - it was on logos, pinterest, everywhere.  So I figured it was something we just had to see.  Turns out it was a little tree in the lake that looks a little cooler if you get the camera angle just right.   The itty bitty Wanaka Tree Looks a little bit more impressive from here The crew and the Wanaka Tree Luckily it was on the way to a winery, which was a much better stop as far as scenery goes.   The view from the winery Two tired athletes mmm grapes We were still thirsty so headed towards a brewery we had seen.  We stopped and grabbed sandwiches and stopped at th embanks of the Clutha River.  The water was a beautiful turquoise colour and it was a great spot to have an impromp...