Entering Wanaka region through Haast Pass rewards with luscious valleys, crystal rivers and backdrop of snowcapped Mt Aspiring. Twin lakes of Wanaka and Hawea are just sick, hauntingly beautiful dressed in stormy navy blue clouds and morning sun breaking through, light bouncing off the water, making us go ’oh, wow’ a million times before we pull over to take a photo. Scent of some godly wild berry bushes soaks deep into Goretex for keepsake.
Twin Lakes: Wanaka & Havea
Past Wanaka trees look as if they’re on fire, with fog and low clouds rising and light illumination from behind.
Sheep ignore all the passing traffic, but as soon as we approach and try to take a picture they get spooked and run the other direction. Maybe they’re uncomfortable and feeling naked when freshly shaved?
Criffel Range hugs the valley road meandering amongst golden hills and meadows, while Crown Terrace past Cardona offers beautiful views of the Remarkables and a valley below.
After stocking up on groceries in Queenstown we drive south to Te Anau and by late afternoon check into Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park, best campsite on our list so far. Excited to the brim about the prospect of smelling like Snuggle laundry, we take luxurious showers and cook food for the next two days. It’s cold enough overnight for the trunk to substitute for a small fridge, already loaded with all necessities: potatoes, cabbage, peppers, onions, olive oil, spices, coffee, bread, cheddar cheese by the kilo, salami, sardines, even muesli, cottage cheese and yogurt.
Following the rains last night the weather is perfect, breezy but sunny. Clouds sit so low it’s easy to mistake them for snow covered forest, as if gravitation pulled them down from the sky all the way to tree line in the valley. We’re planning on hiking Kepler Track tomorrow and the day after, but with this weather, changing her mind like a woman, you just never know.
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