Day 15: Chasing Waterfalls

Today was a very watery day... but I guess it's been a bit of a watery trip really. All my stopping points were waterfall or lake related, and it made for quite the set of views.

The first pit stop on the trail was Thunder Creek Falls, a 96 metre waterfall in Mt Aspiring National Park, flowing into the Haast River. This was one of the most easily accessible landmarks I've seen so far on this trip, so if you're looking for a nice easy stop to stretch your legs, I recommend this one!

The waterfall wasn't wide, but it was very pretty and had the advantage of that lovely bright blue water of the Haast River. New Zealand does its colours well. I have a real compulsion to touch all the water in these rivers, so I'll let you know that this water was rather chilling.

A short while down the road was the Fantail Falls, just a short stroll away from the highway. I really lucked out when I got there and, despite there being plenty of people in the carpark, managed to get the falls all to myself for quite some time. It was wonderful having that time to myself and it felt like I had stepped into some unknown world.

Just look at how clear that water is! It's deeper than it looks in this little pool, definitely ankle deep. Yes, I waded in it a little (when else do you get the chance to wade in alpine rivers?) and ... oooh it was cold. Definitely not swimmable.

These two stops were on Haast Highway, heading towards Wanaka. As I approached the town, I drove between two very large lakes: Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. There were no safe spots to stop to get any good photos of Lake Hawea, but it was really beautiful. It was rather frustrating to have to concentrate on the road instead of fawning over the view. I did find a few spots to stop and overlook Lake Wanaka and, of course, got closer views when in Wanaka itself.

I ticked another spot off the New Zealand bucket list today by visiting 'That Wanaka Tree', a tree growing in the waters of Lake Wanaka. It's a famed tourist spot and draws a huge number of photographers taking wonderful photos. I am considering getting up early to get a sunrise photo tomorrow*, but I took some today. Just don't look at others on Instagram as they will put mine horribly to shame.

Having picked up a few groceries and indulging in a danish from a bakery in town, I checked in at my campsite and then headed right back into town to stop at Ruby's Cinema and Bar to take in a movie. I didn't want to miss out on seeing the new Little Women** at the cinema. It was a very cool little cinema with a bar in the lobby and very limited seatings. Like Blaxland Cinema but much fancier.

Animal Sightings:

• cows
• horse
• sheep

Today's Playlist:

D&D is for Nerds - Hus Firma Pride #24: Underground

D&D is for Nerds - Hus Firma Pride #25: Hus Firma Proud

Do Go On #21: Sir Edmund Hilary

Do Go On #22: The Mystery of D.B. Cooper

Movie Maintenance: Jurassic World

Sawbones: Self-Surgery

Sawbones: Alcoholism

Sawbones: Hangovers

Stuff You Should Know: How Albert Einstein's Brain Worked
Stuff You Should Know: How Corporate Personhood Works

Stuff You Should Know: How Thanksgiving Works

Stuff You Should Know: How OCD works

Stuff You Should Know: How Guerilla Gardening Works

Unprompted & Unwanted #3

Daily Stats:

Kilometres travelled: 151km (3167 in total)

Times I hit my head on the van: 1 (9 in total)

Number of sandfly bites on my feet: 17

Number of vans parked in my area: 8

Number of sheep sleeping in my area: 21

*I think we all know this will NEVER happen

** I have very strong thoughts and opinions and need to discuss them.