Lake Wanaka and Fox Glacier (NZ Day 8)

Last Night after Paradiso cinema we where in good mood and we didn't wanted to spoil it with a camping search so we took a room in the local Top 10 Holiday park. We had a good night sleep and we where full of energy and ready for some action today as well.
At the moment it seams that every day we do or see something what we have never done before and today is not an exception. Yesterday we where quite excited about things what Wanaka can offer to travellers and another interesting thing what we found interesting is opportunity to Fly a Plane!! Yes that is right! It is not a regular scenic flight but you can still enjoy the scenic view around Wanaka!

So first thing what we did today is - we went  to U Fly, although I would prefer to call it Me Fly – yes, as you probably, guessed, I was flying an airplaine - myself! If you would ask me if I have any pilot licence,
I would say, that this was my very first time flying an airplaine! How is it even possible? Well, this is a place, where you can learn a little bit about it.
The tour starts with general information about how the airplaine works, almost like theory and then you do it practically. I didn't take off, I didn't landed, but when we were up in the sky, I could control the plane direction. It was a nice scenic flight, with this extra touch, were you can feel like a real pilot. And as it is located in the beautiful city – Wanaka, the views were absolutely gorgeous, the rivers (Clutha river-Mata-Au and Hawea) that has a lot of curves and a unique colour is almost like a piece of art from the top and when the sky is clear it’s just breath taking!
 If you aren't into crazy extreme things, but you still want to try to control a plane, this is a good opportunity, plus I did enjoy the scenic view of Lake Wanaka! :)

See I did fly the plane!! :)

Getting ready for the flight...

And there she is!! Eva is controlling a Plane.

Scenic View to the river 

Scenic View while Eva was Flying a Plane

Eva Just After U-Fly Flight

It is better to book the flight in advance as we did it here: www.u-flywanaka.co.nz

Right after Evas flight we went to see Fox Glacier which is one of must see places in New Zealand. The weather changed dramatic! On one side (Wanaka) of the mountains it was sunny and on the other side (Fox Glacier) it was raining. See what difference of climate can be seen in New Zealand just within three hour drive! The the rest of the day it was just raining but it didn't stop us from seeing Fox Glacier. 

First we tried to see it from right side where we had to take a bushy trail through the forest, but in the end we didn't see much. The rain water cut the trail with big stream floating across it and we where not able to continue our way to the view point, so we had to go back to the car and go from left side. There we found nice parking and easy trail that took us right to the glacier. Much nice and easier than before. We took a good amount of photos but rain was not very nice and we started to get wet... :( Not the the best thing in the road trip, but it was still nice to see the Fox Glacier. For some of us it was first time when we saw the the Glacier and to be honest I never thought that it is so massive and it has so much power! Take a look at our photos where you can see the bush trail and the Fox Glacier. It is massive!

Bushy Trail to Fox Glacier View Point

Travellers Visiting Fox Glacier

Valley Carved and Shaped by Fox Glacier

Valdis at Fox Glacier

Martins at Fox Glacier

Eva at Fox Glacier

Warning Signs at Fox Glacier

In photos we can see how big is the glacier comparing to the group of people who are taking a tour to it. It is quite dangerous in this area because of falling rocks and ice and there are even warning signs about this fact. From time to time we heard falling rocks in a distance so the signs don't lie.
After this tour to Fox Glacier we had to get dry. There where not too many things what to do in this area so we decided to organize our stuff and relax at Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park. It is a nice place where to stay and get dry! :)

See what we did during our next day HERE!

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Lake Wanaka (Day 7 Part_2)

Right after our exciting skydive at lake Wanaka we decided to explore this area a little bit more! There are many things what to do here and if you really like to try different activities then here you could spend two to three days! Well we had only one day so we had to see and do the best what this place has to offer. First we did skydive witch was real fun and good wake up call in the morning. 

We didn't had any breakfast this morning so we decided to have a nice pick nick by the lake right at town centre where we had nice view to the lake and local mountains! :) That was really nice! We had some sandwiches and tea + a peace of cake and don't forget the most important thing - Amazing View! :) 

After our breakfast we went to see one of the most mysterious place in New Zealand!! The Puzzling World... This is fantastic place for all family, young and old and it was Fun time for us as well! This pace is famous with it's world's first "3-D" Great Maze, incredible illusion rooms and a Puzzle Centre/Cafe where you can try out loads of interesting things... It has a large and amazing gift shop where we found many interesting and unique things! With it's eccentric architecture it is possibly the most photographed attraction in New Zealand. We took many photos there and here you can see some of them...

Just outside of Puzzling World Evas is holding the leaning clock tower

Giant and Dwarf!! How is this possible??

Do you think that the angle how Eva is standing is impossible?
Well - she is standing straight! It is the room that is in wrong angle!! :)

Amazing art and amazing Eva at Puzzling World

Amazing Roman Toilet Illusion at Puzzling World!
If you take a look at next photo then you can see that this is just
a mural painting, but it is also changing it's angle as you walk along it! 

Take a look at the room now!!It still looks so real!! 

Eva in front of Puzzling World :)

Another interesting thing was Psychic Challenge!! We didn't participated, but it is very interesting because of the rules and 100,000 NZD prize... 

100,000 $ Psychic Challenge

The Psychic Challenge for $100,000

 The History of the Psychic Challenge provided by Puzzling World:

In 1994 Stuart Landsborough, a member of the New Zealand Sceptics Society, created a challenge to test those who claim to deal in the paranormal. 

The original challenge was to find a $50,000 promissory note hidden within a 5km radius of Puzzling World - this was soon reduced to 200 metres. 

In 2006 Stuart, concerned with the media's biased coverage of psychic ability, increased the reward to $100,000 and decreased the search site to just 100 metres!

To demonstrate true psychic talent and avoid random success, the challenger must now find two halves of a promissory note.

Since 1994 seven challengers, five Psychics, one Diviner and one devout Christian, have tried and failed. One challenger required naked "intervention"... Stuart declined the offer!!

www.PsychicChallenge.co.nz

If you are ready for it then go ahead! :) We would be able to find some fun in each day but not something like this! :) So after the Puzzling World we decided to see the lake and Wanaka from the top of the Mt Iron waking track. It is about 1 to 1.5 hour return loop way track and we started it just outside and across the road of Puzzling World. It was quite easy and beautiful hike up there and the view from the top is stunning!

The view to Mountains and Lake Wanaka

Eva Enjoying the View

As you can see the lake is huge and Wanaka seams so small from the top of the Mt Iron waking track. The day in the morning was sunny and clear, but when we where at the top of the track it started to cloud, and we thought that this will be the end of our FunDay, but no...

We hiked back to the car and went into the Wanaka to see what else we can manage to do this evening. We where looking for parking by the store and suddenly discovered our next Fun thing what we can do! Cinema Paradiso was just in time and we had a chance to see great movie in the most interesting cinema where we have been so far! This road trip is full of surprises and if you think that cinema is boring and a thing that you shouldn't do while you are on a road trip around New Zealand then you are wrong! Paradiso is special with it's unique style! The most interesting we found two old cars in the cinema where you can sit inside and watch the movie! Maybe chairs from the airplane or maybe dentist office office sounds interesting? This and many sofas are for you to chose from. Take a look!

Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka, New Zealand

Interesting thing what we loved was breaks in between the movie where we could go to cafe and get home made cookies and some other snacks or drinks! It is Cinema, Cafe and a bar - three in one! It was awesome experience!

This was the end of this amazing day and we all know one fact: We will always remember every single minute of this day!


See what we did during our next day HERE!

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Lake Wanaka!!! (NZ Day 7 Part_1)

Today we start our day with a phone call to Skydive Lake Wanaka centre. We had to find out if the weather is OK to fly today and it was! These was good news for us because we really wanted to try skydiving and as we know then Lake Wanaka is the best place in New Zealand where to Skydive! Our Time is limited but we had full day planned in Wanaka area so it was really good that weather was great in the morning.
It was quite short drive from Queenstown to Wanaka. It takes just 1 to 1.5 hours to drive there and it was easy to follow the map and road signs. Not too many roads in this area! Ha ha! :) So after this short drive we quickly located Wanaka airport and found our Skydive Lake Wanaka Centre. After professional introduction and little preparing we started to kit up. Sky dive team helped to make sure that everything is good and safe and it didn't took long and we where heading to this read quite airplane. 

Having a FunDay Adventure at Lake Wanaka Drop Zone

This is how Eva was practising for the jump! Nice right! :) Well - in real life it is a little similar but much more fun! :) First we stepped in the airplane and we knew that we wont be landing the usual way! :)

Skydive Lake Wanaka Airplane

Brave FunDay Adventure Team Ready to Skydive 

Our instructor and rest of the crew where making jokes all the way to 15,000 FT in the air.
Evas instructor asked Eva if she is skydiving for the first time, and:
"Yes!'' she replied.
"oh, for me it's the second time! It will be fun!"
and then one by one people started to disappear from the airplane!! :D See how it was just bellow...

We are still having fun, but looks like Evas instructor took the
 lunch box out of my instructors backpack! Ha Ha Ha

At this moment I'm thinking If my instructor took the right backpack!! :)

15 000 FT (4572 m) up in the Sky and the Fun Starts for Real!!

Flying like a super men, and spinning around for more fun!!
This is unbelievable!!! :) 

Look at the view and my emotions!! Nice!! :)

 I think this could be a perfect photo for my resume or passport! :)
I have a big smile in my face when ever I am looking at this photo!! :) 

And Here Is My Perfect Landing!! :)

A Must See Skydive Video!!!

This was really great Adventure for all 3 of us and thanks to camera man we have these great memories that we can share with you! :) This was so cool and I am glad that we did skydiving in this fantastic place. Eva always knew that some day she will do it and Wanaka definitely was the best place (with perfect scenery) to do it! Martins enjoyed every little second of this skydive and after he even wanted to do it as a job! :D It was nice to hear that staff knows our names and this individual approach made us feel like home! Thanks guys for having us - it was an adventure of a life time!
We marked this place in our map in case you are wondering where it's located and here is the link to skydive Lake Wanaka home page where you can book your adventure of a life time: http://www.skydivewanaka.com

Read part 2 of this adventure day HERE!

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Milford Sound (NZ Day 6)

Today is our day number 6 on the road and we feel great! Today we had a plan to go and see Milford Sound!! We heard that it is a stunning place and definitely a MUST SEE in New Zealand!! 

Last night we decided to try out a camp site that was recommended to us and for first time we stayed in our tent! :) 

Free Camping Ground Near Queenstown, New Zealand

Fresh air, nature lake and mountains just beside us... What else you could wish in New Zealand?? That was awesome!! You can see this free camp grounds location in our map here. 

We woke up just after sun rise because this morning we had a booking with Southern Discoveries on a Scenic Cruise to see amazing Milford Sound. If you book it online you can save some money and you wont have to worry that there wont be a space for you when you will arrive in Milford Sound. See online specials here. There is three things that you should keep in mind when you are booking your trip:

1. Fill up your cars fuel tank before you go to Milford Sound (See last fuel station in our map)

2. Plan some extra time for driving because the road is winding and it can take more time to get there that you or Google maps think

3. Do not speed - on a road where you can actually do it, there is police patrols

4. Don't stop for photos on your way there, unless you have a lot of time. You will be able to take better photos when you are not in rush any ways  

We tell you all of this because it is important if you want to get the boat. Boat is departing on time at all times. We where almost late because wrong planning and because of that we will tell you the best way how to plan your trip to Milford Sound. 

When we where on our way there we stopped to fill up our fuel tank before we entered Milford Sound. There is no gas station once you get there. This is quite important if you are willing to come back! :) Then we stopped to take many photos on our way there. Short stops are OK but make sure that you have enough time to catch the boat. We almost missed it but luckily we managed for our booking at 9 AM for Scenic Cruise with Southern Discoveries. 

First thing what we had was breakfast on the boat and that was awesome! Fresh sea food, meet and vegetables made just there on the boat in the kitchen! That was great to eat on this beautiful boat at this stunning location. We can't imagine better start of the day! :) We where full with energy again! 

So after breakfast we went outside on the deck to take some photos of this stunning place. We took over 500 on this cruise alone so maybe that will help you to imagine how beautiful Milford Sound is! Take a look at some of them what we enjoyed the most just down here. 

Mountain View During Scenic Cruise

Milford Sound Scenic View

FunDay Adventure Enjoying Scenic Cruise

Remote Southern Discoveries Discovery Centre
(access possible only by boat)

Scenic View at Milford Sound, New Zealand
(interesting that we had a painting on a wall back home, before we
came here, with this exact location and we didn't even knew that
 it is made according to this location in Milford Sound)

Scenic Cliffs in a Sunny Day at Milford Sound

Sea Lions Having Some Rest On a Huge Rock at Milford Sound

Sea Lions Catching Sun Rays at Milford Sound

Our Boat and The View from It

Huge Cliffs and Waterfall at Milford Sound

These stunning views of Milford Sound are just one part of our experience during the cruise. The other part is the nature encounter experience! We had a chance to see Sea Lions who where catching the sun rays on a huge rock, and finally we saw a Yellow Eyed Penguin with our own eyes. Usually when we travel we miss nice animals like dolphins and sometimes even whales. Can you imagine how huge is whale and we still manage to miss it because they go travelling! :) Well this time we saw I think the last Yellow Eyed Penguin in New Zealand. All others where already gone, but we managed to take some photos of it! Take a look at it! It is so small but at the same time beautiful! :)

Yellow Eyed Penguin

This Yellow Eyed Penguin looks so tiny besides those branches

Yellow Eyed Penguin pose for camera

I decided to post more pictures of this Yellow Eyed penguin just because penguins are animals that not many people see it in wild! Milford sound is one of those places and we are glad that we chose Southern Discoveries and this Scenic Cruise because captain stopped at all most interesting places, he even spotted this penguin and we had a chance to take a good look at it while the boat was stopped as close as possible. Then he shared interesting facts about movies that where taken at Milford sound and stunts that where done for movies in this stunning location. And one more thing that we will never forget is how this huge boat went under and into a waterfall!! See the waterfall where we went under in next photo.

Milfrd Sound Waterfall

Here You Can See The Boat We Where Taking

We marked this place in our map in case you are wondering where it's located and here is the link to Southern Discoveries home page where you can book your cruise of a life time: http://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/

After this Adventure we walked around a little bit and and took some more photos but to be honest - If you are going to Milford sound then the best way and I would say the only way to see it properly is by boat. Take your own or go with Southern Discoveries like we did but get on the water.

Silver Fern, Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound is one of wettest places on earth. The average annual rainfall for Milford Village is 6,700 mm (264 inches) that is equal to two storey high house and falls of over 250 mm (nearly 10 inches) on a single day are not uncommon. While Milford experiences rain on about 200 days of the year, most falls during the spring. We where lucky to see Milford Sound on a sunny day but I would like to see it during rainy day as well! I am sure that it looks very beautiful and maybe even nicer that it does in sun. All those waterfalls forming on fiords should look stunning!
After our Cruise we went back to Queenstown and we suggest you to enjoy the ride as much as we did! Take a look at our photos of the road to Milford Sound just bellow...

Road To Milford Sound, Snow in Mountains

Huge Endless Waterfalls at Near Road to Milford Sound
See those big trucks standing on the road??
Now you can compare the size of those waterfalls!

Stunning View to Milford Sound

 Nice to see thousands of waterfalls all around you. It is once in a life time experience!! :)
On our way to Milford sound we stopped on the side of the road where we saw a sign that directed to Mirror lake. We didn't had this stop in our plan before but we gad extra time for it and we are glad that we stopped there. Take a look at it the lake just bellow.

Mirror Lake, Milford Sound

Nice Mirror View in the Lake at Milford Sound

 Coordinates of this place you can find in our guide that you will be able to get when this Blog will be finished r see them in our map. The other thing what we really enjoyed was this waterfall just on the side of a road to Milford Sound... It was Stunning to stand so close to it and feel the power of water!! Take a look yourself!!

Waterfall and FunDay Adventure Team near Milford Sound
New Zealand

In general these where the most beautiful places what we saw on our way to Milford Sound if we would have to bring our friends or family to Milford Sound then these would be places where we would stop! We hope that you enjoyed reading about our Adventure Day as much as we enjoyed Bloging about it! :) Leave comments if you have any or submit questions! :)

See also our next day in this Adventurous Road Trip around New Zealand! :)

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