Many majestic views of lakes and peaks awaited on the last leg of the last GA flight of our NZ adventure. Strolling the serene ramp at TEU we had no idea that so much delight was minutes away. [Note: click here to read in sequence from the start of this “Over Under” Big Adventure]
2231 TEU to Mountains
Soon after takeoff we turned away from Lake Manapouri for a quick closer look at tiny Lake Henry and Te Anau on the shore of massive Lake Te Anau.
2256 Te Anau
Climbing back toward Wanaka, we saw this silhouette of a person’s head facing left. It’s comical that amid so much spectacular beauty, this shape formed by the North end of South Mavora Lake stood out somehow.
2268 Cartoon Shape
Maybe the human spirit tends toward adaptation to beauty when overwhelmed by such sustained exposure to it. Still, this view along the Von River to Lake Wakatipu found us in silent enjoyment.
2288 Von River
The rapids next to the lake are thrilling from the air, especially when they evoke the experience of whitewater sports down in that gorge.
2301 Rapids
As we continued out onto the bend in Lake Wakatipu, at the North end Glenorchy sheltered among the towering mountains.
2327 Distant Glenorchy
Across the lake toward the East, colorful scenery continued the amazement that flooded our senses.
2341 Across the Bend
All along the lake as in every moment of every GA flight, our souls overflowed with the beauty of this land. Of course we have many more pix than can be shared, so how are these few chosen? Why choose this one of rapids among many along our mountainous route up Rees River and Invincible Creek and back East toward Wanaka?
2353 Inexplicable Rapids
As if the many stunning peaks like Mt. Aspiring we’d already visited weren’t enough, the grizzled heads of these peaks added to our overwhelm.
2362 Grizzled Peaks
As always, the pix we share here aren’t just a small fraction of our total but also a tiny slice of the view we swam in. Here’s a larger one.
2387 Bigger Slice
Now a few more pix and fewer of the words that pale and fail.
2412 Peaks Aplenty 1
2431 Peaks Aplenty 2
2442 Peaks Aplenty 3
Like the U.S. and Canadian Rockies, each of the peaks in this vast expanse of mountains majesty kindles a deep emotional response in the human heart.
Another deep breath comes as we descend back into the green of New Zealand.
2545 Down Into Green
Even minutes from the end of this amazing flight, Glendhu Bay offered yet another stunning vista.
2571 Glendhu Bay
Continuing our descent across the South end of Lake Wanaka the shallows were reminiscent of our Bahamas flights.
2578 Colorful Shallows
But now Wanaka sprawled toward the airport where we’d begin the scenic drive to Queenstown for yet more memorable moments in this thrill-packed day.
2587 Wanaka Approach
John & Anne Wiley 
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