Lakes Wanaka & Tekapo

Bette just getting ready to take off
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A chance for Michelle to revisit this favourite spot of hers and even stay at the same hostel as she did 8 years ago.  Not much to say except lovely hostel with great views of the lake and Mount Aspiring.  We walked on the shores of the lake and and had our first curry in five months.

Left Wanaka set for a days drive to Tekapo and noticed in the guidebook we were passing one was one of the best places in the worldwide for gliding a tiny town called Omararu.  We popped in to have a look and 20 minutes later Dave and Bette were sat in the front seat of separate gliders off for their first flight. It turned out the chap who took Dave up had being doing it for 20 years and spends six months in the UK at Dunstable Downs and the other six months here in New Zealand - wonder which one he prefers? It was a good experience. A calm day meant a short but smooth ride, very peaceful and fascinating as your pilot trys to find thermals to get lift. Bette was really brave and the first to say she'd have a go - maybe the good looking young pilot helped!

David in the front seat of the glider
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After that excitement we drove on to Tekapo, and it was as beautiful as our friends Paul and Bethan said - they liked it so much they got married at the very picturesque church there. The lake itself was a stunning turquoise blue and its not over run by tourists yet so was charmingly quiet. We stayed at a hostel called Tailor Made Backpackers - Bette's favourite of the trip. Wonderful gardens and lots of character.