Glenorchy 南岛的世外桃源: Xanandu of the South Island

Glenorchy.
The name itself softens my heart,
and smoothes out all the wrinkles of my soul.

This place is so breathtaking & secluded
I couldn't help but return for a second round.

Some days the water was so bright, 
I thought it could compete with that of Tekapo.
Other days, over the lagoon, 
you could see the water vapor hanging like  mist over the lagoon water
all the way from the middle of the Glenorchy highway.
It was such a sight, 
I took one of my favourite shots on the trip.

My first visit was on new year's day.
1st day of 2022.
It was HOT all day.

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From around 8:30pm,
After the sun had set below the Remarkables,
temperature dropped by what felt like 15 degrees.
I had to wrap my self in the thick alpaca blanket
I got from Wools of Wanaka.
2 groups of family travelers were watching their tamariki jumping off the dock.
There were cheers and laughter all around.
The light began to turn golden at around 9pm,
blades of grass on the lawn shone in the sunlight
​and looked almost see-through.

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It was rather windy on the dock,
but flowers and mountains were all lit up,
things were softened and warmed by the golden hour.

I saw a stunning sunset at the wharf,
as well as on the drive back.

Absolutely grateful for spending my 1st day of the year here, all day.
And I went back again for more
on my last day in Queenstown.
It was no longer a public holiday,
so I got to experience it with more serenity
without rushing picture-snapping tourists around.

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I highly recommend Glenorchy.
It is an unmissable Xanandu of Te Waiounamu.
Don't come to Queenstown without stopping over for a sojourn.