Fox Glacier to Wanaka

We thought maybe we’d sleep in this morning, but guess what?  No deal!  Up at 5:30 to ride out to Lake Matheson for the sunrise behind Mt. Tasman and Mt. Cook!  What a view.  This lake is a natural lake left from a glacier that has retreated.  It was a real treat.  

Afterward, we headed back in town for a little more time in bed.  Then a girl from Germany, who we met and John played cribbage with last night, came with us for the ride to Wanaka.  We also met a girl from Denver on our tramp, and she was also at the hostel and played cribbage.  She came out to Lake Matheson with us this morning. 

Before we left, we hiked to the terminus of Fox Glacier.  This was very cool and very different from Franz Josef Glacier.  

I wasn’t sure what to expect on this leg of the voyage to Wanaka, but New Zealand never ceases to amaze!  Haast is a beautiful small town on the south of the West coast, as they call it, right along the ocean.  The ocean pounding into the rocks was impressive.  Outside of Haast, we climbed along a beautiful blue glacial-fed river and went over Haast Pass.  We were driving right around Mt. Aspiring National Park.  I’m not sure why it’s called Mt. Aspiring because it’s totally INSPIRING!!  

Not too much farther was Lake Wanaka.  At first, it sort of looked like Blue Mesa, but then we went around a bend and it looked like the ocean!  It’s BIG!  Then over a small “pass” to Lake Hawea.  Unfortunately, when we stopped to take a picture there, we got back into the car and it wouldn’t start – AGAIN!  Luckily, a group from Australia was also at the pull off and they were able to take me down to a place where I could get phone service.  After a 1 ½ hour delay, we were back on the road.  We dropped Klara at her hostel, found ours, went shopping, cooked dinner, and are ready to head out across the park to see the lake!  

We’ve made reservations for the town of Mt. Cook tomorrow for some great hiking, and then we’ll be back in Wanaka to maybe do some mountain biking.  Got to still get in that bungee jumping in Queenstown, which isn’t too far!!  However, everyone says the scene in Queenstown is crazy and you won’t meet a local.  We are trying to figure out how to do the bungee jumping and not stay in Queenstown.  Looking at a map, you’d think “no problem” but distances are VERY deceiving in New Zealand!  We still have hopes of getting to Milford Sound and Stewart Island.  I still haven’t seen penguins and that’s the last “must do” on my list.  Everything else will have to wait until my next trip!