Around Wanaka

Our day in Wanaka is designated a ‘rest day’. There are no ‘unmissable’ sights to see, but rather a gentle wander round this delightful lakeside town and its beautiful environs. 

We decide to take the road past Glendhu Bay towards the ski fields, and very soon we’re back to stopping the car again and again to admire the views within Mt Aspiring  National Park. By now, we’re used to the browns and golds replacing the greens of further west, and the lack of vegetation on the higher slopes just emphasises the harsh and jagged sculptures of the mountain peaks. In contrast, though, there’s a sense of the Mediterranean in the richness of the lower slopes, slender pines or poplars punctuating the landscape, lakeside reflections adding to the Italianate air. It’s really beautiful. 

Returning to Wanaka, there is the inevitable visit to ‘that Wanaka Tree’ - a few steps from the lakeside car park. Disappointingly, it’s almost completely out of the water now, reflections just about caught in some watery puddles in the lakeside sand. Our hosts have already expressed their disbelief at its popularity - and tell us that it’s a regular location for pre-wedding photos for Chinese couples. As it is, I queue patiently for my turn as a large party photograph each other, every one of them striking some ridiculous pose beside this admittedly handsome tree. I’m tempted to ask G to do the same, but manage to refrain….

All that’s left is a visit to the Mediterranean Market to buy some treats for our evening on the balcony which offers the most wonderful views - culminating tonight in an unexpected but spectacular mountain sunset. 

And it’s sunset that is my main today, with some extra landscapes and the inevitable rather stranded tree!