Day 201 – Auckland to Wanaka
Today, was the start of our South Island trip. It is the first time I would be travelling to the South Island of New Zealand. We would be travelling with both sets of parents too. We all took the short Jet Star flight from Auckland to Queenstown Airport. The views from the plane as we approached Queenstown were spectacular. I can tell why my wife keeps saying South Island is a beautiful place.
Once we landed at the small Queenstown Airport, we made our way to a car rental place that we had booked in advanced. The vehicle was an Hyundai iMax, which is a van. This was definitely the largest vehicle I had driven. It handled surprisingly well with just enough grunt, and there was amble room inside, for 6 people and our luggage.
Queenstown Airport 
Hyundai iMax
We drove into town to look into a free “jet boat experience” which was included on our tickets with our Milford Sound Cruise. The company we booked the cruise with was called Go Orange. We booked it on a website called bookme.co.nz for $47 NZD / $44.24 AUD per person.
We were able to get on the next jet boat, which is known as Thunder Jet. It was amazing. I highly recommend doing it. Essentially the driver took us around Lake Wakatipu, performing sharp turns. You will definitely enjoy it and you will definitely get wet. If I ever move to New Zealand, I know what I want to do to make a living =D
Lake Wakatipu
After a quick lunch in Queenstown, we drove to Arrowtown. The sleepy town was completely opposite from the adventures on the speed boat. Besides the main town, which has an old world feel, there is a Chinese Settlement, on the out skirts. This Chinese settlement has a few old houses and some informational signs about the plight of the early Chinese settlers in Arrowtown.
Next we took a scenic drive 100km to Wanaka via the town of Cromwell. The landscape was full of beautiful mountain ranges and waterways. It was an enjoyable drive. In Cromwell, there was not much activity by the time we arrived, so after a quick pitstop, we kept driving. In Wanaka, we had an entire apartment to ourselves, as the other room was empty. After a home cooked dinner we taught both sets of parents Jenga and played late into the night.
Cromwell Roaring Meg Lookout Wanaka
