What an incredible first week it's been with the most amazing views I have ever seen. New Zealand is definitely a wonderful and unique landscape that I could never get tired of.
Queenstown
In Queenstown, we took a gondola up to view the city from above, walked along the lake and took a helicopter ride to the top of a snow topped mountain.
Doubtful Sound
Temporary and permanent waterfalls, u-shaped valleys, mating sea lions and the sound of silence.
Wanaka
Sunset walk to the Wanaka Tree and Rippon Vineyard.
Rob Roy Glacier is located in Mount Aspiring National Park about an hour from Wanaka. The drive from Wanaka changed from cement to gravel to dirt, as we had been warned. Sheep and cows ran away from our car towards the frost covered ground on either side of the road. However, we were not properly warned about driving through nearly a dozen fords; tiny, rocky rivers that we needed to drive our small rental car through.
After we parked, I saw a water fountain and proceeded to finish my water bottle, knowing I was dehydrated and could refill. However, I walked up to the water fountain with my empty water bottle only to find no running water. I would end up trekking 4 hours with milk in my water bottle, since that is all we had in the car (glacier water from the natural waterfalls doesn't taste that bad either...). We made it to the upper lookout. I think the beautiful views speak for themselves.
After we parked, I saw a water fountain and proceeded to finish my water bottle, knowing I was dehydrated and could refill. However, I walked up to the water fountain with my empty water bottle only to find no running water. I would end up trekking 4 hours with milk in my water bottle, since that is all we had in the car (glacier water from the natural waterfalls doesn't taste that bad either...). We made it to the upper lookout. I think the beautiful views speak for themselves.
New Zealand has been beautiful at every turn. Now on to Australia!