day 3: diamond lake conservation area

continuing my travel post in new zealand even though my trip was a month ago... our next stop was wanaka. beautiful beautiful little town.

we stayed at the most awesome bed & breakfast criffel peak view with the loveliest hosts ever, i can not believe how nice they are. i highly recommend you to stay here if you travel to wanaka. seriously check avails with them first, do not find other place unless they're booked out.

first morning in wanaka, we went tracking. or tramping, as they call it. we decided to go to the diamond lake conservation, which we thought would be an easy beginner track. NOT. it wasn't an easy track (for us), it's quite a long hike, some parts were tricky and steep. BUT once we've got to the rocky mountain's 775-metre summit the view was just breath taking. so proud of us making it to the top.

anyway, here are some of the shots of pride :)

at the start line.


diamond lake.


the ferns are different types from the ones we saw at the rainforest at the doubtful sound.


stairs were only the beginning. the further we went, the harder the track


diamond lake from higher up the track.


pretty bush.


nice view of lake wanaka, where we thought we were close to the top by now.


we were tired, we were sweaty, and we really thought we almost got to the top. then we saw this and realised we need to climb this. or well, not climb, more like walking up in the loop all the way to the top.


the moment of glory when we finally go to the top, hurrah!


just. amazing. no words can explain.


obligatory panorama shot while you're on the top.


the back of the view, before we went downhill to go back.


going downhill, in between the skinny trees.

camera: sony rx100