Wanaka

We arrived in Wanaka mid morning on Monday 17th after a lovely drive up Lake Dunstan and fairly quickly found Dave & Jess’s house at 112 Totara Terrace. Great to see them both and lots to talk about over a coffee.
Then off for a drive around the lake, Kayak on the roofrack, and stopped for a picnic lunch at the Minaret Burn track on the west side of Lake Wanaka. As David had told us it was obvious that the lake had been very high recently (lots of driftwood on the shore) and it was still high and very windy in the area.
After lunch we headed back around the lake towards Wanaka and stopped at Glendhu Bay where we unloaded the kayak. Rosemary and I were sent out first and I’m sure you will agree from the attached photo that our paddle synchronisation was well nigh perfect! Fabulous sunny afternoon and the views of the lake and Mount Aspiring were genuinely awesome!
Time for a swim and for David and Jess to demonstrate how kayaking should really be done before we headed back for a beer or two in Wanaka town and then a lovely dinner of prawns and asparagus, followed by pork and crème brulee washed down with some superb NZ wines including a sensational sweet Cloudy Bay Riesling. Congratulations to the chefs.
Fantastic hospitality from David & Jess and much appreciated.
Tuesday 18th started cloudy and stayed cloudy. However, very little rain and we enjoyed a walk down into the town via the lake shore and when it did rain we were happily downing cafe lattes in a pleasant cafe close to the lake.
Walked back via lots of shops but the lovely lady wife must be ill since nothing of note was purchased.
Had a fairly lazy afternoon catching up on some reading whilst David & Jess went out mountain biking and walking; they never stop!
Off to dinner this evening to The Landing in the centre of town and if the weather is good tomorrow we are flying to Milford Sound!