From Aoraki to Queenstown

Lake Pukaki, below the Tasman Glacier, is a beautiful blue hue.

Next to the lake, we found some giant, Middle-earthian mushrooms.  While I am sure they are delicious, we didn't give them a go.

The waterfront in Queenstown is quite spectacular being surrounded by the Southern Alps.  This is the center of NZ skiing.

Lake Wakatipu is big.  Here is a photo showing a sailboat in the foreground, our hotel on the water to the right, and a view of one of the mountain ranges in the background.  This is just the harbor area of the lake, which at over 1,200 feet deep and 50 miles long, is NZ's third largest lake.  The bottom of Lake Wakatipu is about 200 feet BELOW sea level!

Of course with my luck, I run across the only aggressive Kiwi in the area.

Here is a panoramic shot from our hotel room balcony.  Life is good!