If your friends were all jumping off a bridge, would you?

Hey guys!! I am so happy! I got a chance to do one of the most iconic New Zealand hikes on the last weekend it was open – we were cutting it close. But anyways, let me back track. Last weekend, 10 of my friends that are in the TEAN program went to Wanaka. Wanaka is a charming little town on the lake about 3 and a half hours away from Dunedin. They are famous for one of the most photographed trees in the world (it’s in the lake!) and good food. Friday we all just went out for dinner, but Saturday, we headed out early and started doing Roy’s Peak! Now, although I loved getting to do this hike, it was so challenging. It was about 3 hours STRAIGHT uphill, soooo tiring. But the view was well worth it.

You can see Lake Wanaka in the background of the picture – on a clear day, like we were lucky to get, you can see all around you. Although the way up was challenging, downhill is almost worse because your feet jam into your shoes and its hard on the knees!

Once we were all down, we piled back into the cars in order to head about an hour away from Wanaka, to Mount Aspiring National Park – to a short walk – Blue Pools. It was so beautiful! We tried to do this on our spring break trip but the water was definitely not blue due rain altering the chemical mix of the water. Some people jumped from the bridge into the water – despite the freezing cold!

On Sunday, some people headed to do another hike, but me and two other friends went to a winery and had a free wine tasting as well as a cheese plate while overlooking a beautiful view! It is safe to say that Wanaka is an amazing little place, I am so glad I got to experience it!