Wanaka with David and return to Christchurch

What a lovely trip it was from Invercargill to Wanaka.  I decided on the central route via Alexandra and the fruit growing areas to avoid the heavier traffic around Queenstown. It was a great idea.  I think I saw on average 6 cars per hour outside towns and villages. It gave me time to drive at a decent speed but still enjoy the stunning beauty of Central with its golden rolling hills, gorges and rivers. Around  the Clutha Dam the blue of the hydro lakes was a perfect match to my little Ken!!

Wanaka, as beautiful as ever. How I love this place! I always have, from the very first trip I did with Jim in 1976. Luckily, although it is now a tourist destination, it has not been spoilt as much as Queenstown and there are still wide open spaces and it never seems too crowded except at New Year and Easter. This single tree in the photo below has become iconic and is in every tourist brochure and Wanaka booklet, thus making it a MUST for wedding photos!

Boating safety is paramount around this area and even the dogs have some pretty fancy life jackets!

For years the family have been fortunate enough to stay at Edgewater, this beautiful complex by the lake and with its own little lake right in front of our bedroom unit. What a paradise!

It was fantastic to walk with David from the picturesque Glendhu Bay along the relatively new walkway which allows splendid views of Mount Aspiring. Clouds shrouded the peaks at times, but the beaches in the foreground with the masses of fabulous driftwood, the lake and the foothills, still made for breathtaking scenery.

I just had to go out early one morning as the sun rose to marvel at this serene and magnificent view over the lake to Aspiring. Soft pastel colours, not a puff of wind, and absolutely nobody around. Perfections plus!

At the other end of the day the view from Wanaka beach was equally spectacular and once again the soft pastel colours were restful and beautiful.

Next morning, I could not resist an early morning walk once again to THE TREE. It is rare nowadays  to see it without someone standing beside it, so this shot will be treasured. What a gorgeous place.

Despite the fact that we do the walk along the River Clutha every time we go to Wanaka and although I have taken so many hundreds of photos of the unbelievable colours of the trees and water, I could not resist taking more, much to David's amusement!!

Totally irresistible, isn't it?

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and it was time to do the 500 kilometres back to Christchurch through the lake districts of the South Island.  So many people think that NZ an Switzerland are similar, but I realised that even the lake areas are completely different due to the lack of vegetation and habitation. Lake Pukaki with Mount Cook in the distance looked marvelous.

It was a brilliant road trip, with plenty of kilometres and a mass of memorable places to visit and company to enjoy! I can't wait for the next trip - probably  with Dennis in April :)