Wanaka

Auckland was amazing throughout the first week of this grand adventure and I left having made some new friends including one who is an aspiring stunt woman having her first "full burn" today.  Now I sit in Wanaka surrounded by a glacial lake and snow capped mountains, the terrain is "big" around here and I cannot wait to ski some of the resorts near us.  The food is phenomenal thus far, as is the wine.  I had a four course tasting menu a few days back at Orbit, the revolving restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland and it was absurdly delicious.  Mussel Soup, Poached John Dory, Braised Beef Cheeks all paired to perfection with some wines from around NZ.  However, I think Wanaka is too quaint and too far of a commute to Queenstown for my upcoming hockey games for me to live here indefinitely.

On a very cool note, I spoke to the Master Sommelier I've been in contact with and he offered me a place to crash upon my arrival to Auckland when I go back next.  Things are clicking down here and I leave you with a picture of the view this morning as the sun crept over the range.