Wanaka Wine Tasting and War Birds

Another beautiful city with a lake and a view of snow-capped mountains. It's where I spent a day wine tasting with some locals from Auckland, who were here for the War Birds Air Show. I didn't stay for the show but drove back through town and caught a glimpse of some planes from a distance. The locals were very excited about the show, which hadn't taken place in years due to COVID.

The wine tasting was incredibly enjoyable and took us through a stunning countryside of rolling hills, vineyards, and autumn foliage. We visited five wineries and sampled five wines at each! Yes, I was seeing double by the time we headed back to Wanaka. We also indulged in all kinds of delicious food, from venison to salmon, all grilled and slow-cooked in old oak wine barrels. The wine was fantastic - especially the Pinot Noir.

No words: Mt Cook and spectacular landscapes

I'm just amazed, in awe, swimming in nature concentrate..... I don't know how to describe the incredible beauty at Mt. Cook. I'll write more later because I want to take more time to describe the area.

Mt Cook

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View from my room - not a painting. So fortunate to have decent weather too. Yes, this was a splurge.

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Boat rides and hikes. Spectacular scenery. Glacier water and icebergs. Amazing cloud formations and weather changes - too much to absorb.

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I went on a Mt Cook Ski Plane ride and landed on a glacier. Absolutely breathtaking!!!

Standing on a glacier in Westland Tai Putinit National Park.

Walking on a glacier on top of a mountain after landing there by a ski-plane. Incredible! Mt Cook, New Zealand.

Mt Cook ski-plane ride, New Zealand. Stunning and frightening

Kiwis in Kaikoura: Beach and Snow Covered Mountains

Words to follow...................Or perhpas there are no words.

Remarkable beauty of the mountains and beach in this small town. Very laid back and relaxing.

Wild Seals

Happy Dophins. Went on a Whale watch cruise, but saw these instead.

Bummed a ride from the Pennisula from these lovely locals. Ran out of time and couldn't get an uber, so I thought I'd just start asking people in the parking lot for a ride. Yikes. I was lucky

to get one from these two. The man loves his Chevy truck and asked if I drove a Chevy. He was quite obessed about the brand.

Onward by train to Christchurch. Will tell more about the amazing trains rides later.