New Zealand - Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Twizel & Wanaka

From Akaroa, we headed SW across the South Island towards the southern Alps. First stop was Lake Tekapo. We tried to get all the way to Mt Cook but a thick snowfall/sleet suggested that we stop and stay along the lake. It was Oliver's first serious winter weather. From there we went on to Mt Cook, but that'll be another post. From there we passed through a place called Twizel which is a town built to support the construction of a hydroelectric plant. When the plant was finished, all the townspeople decided to stay. It's kind of a strange place (hyper-planned but temporary). Next stop was Wanaka, yet another winter sports and adventuring base. We loved the pass out of Wanaka and the local vineyard. It has to be the most picturesque winery on the planet, a gentle green slope next to a placid lake and massive mountains in the distance.