Following our Hobbit Hunt and hike to Fox Glacier, we began our 4-hour drive to Queenstown. This drive was amazingly beautiful. From the town of Fox Glacier, we got this view of the glacier, situated between two other mountains. The streams formed by these glaciers are an extremely bright blue color due to the limestone dust carried by the flow from the mountains. 
After about an hour drive, we passed through Haast (pronounced "Haaaaaahhhhhhsssssstttttttt"), and on to the coast. Just as the day before the coast was beautiful. But, watch out for the flies (see "Reflections" below).
We drove another hour, which led us back into the mountains. We stopped and took a short hike to a waterfall, where this picture was made. I still can't believe how clear the water was, even though I did not have polarized sunglass lenses (Tim will inform you of how much clearer it is with polarized glasses). The video below shows more of the waterfall and stream. 
The final two hours of our drive were through wide valleys containing the most beautiful lakes that I have ever seen. These lakes were gigantic and totally clear. The pictures don't do it justice because it doesn't really show the size of everything. This picture was taken at the same site where I thought I found a hobbit and was only slightly disappointed to learn that it was Rachel (see last blog).
We stopped multiple times throughout the drive for pictures. It seemed like the lakes went on forever. You would follow the lake for miles and miles, then go around a mountain bend and see that it continued for miles more. 
This is a shot of Rachel and I at one of the lakes.
This is the entire group at a rest stop along the way. We shot the photo by placing the camera on the hood of the car. You can see the road in the distance on the right side of the photo and the river on the left side. 
This photo is of Lake Wanaka. Wanaka is a cute little town about 40 minutes outside of Queenstown. Many New Zealanders prefer Wanaka to Queenstown because it is smaller and definitely has fewer tourists. It is beautiful, but probably lacks some of the recreational activities that are provided by Queenstown. 
From Wanaka, we climbed around a couple of mountains that provided great views into valleys, as we headed towards Queenstown. 
This is a picture of the final valley that we passed through before we arrived in Queenstown. REFLECTIONS - Man-Eating Bugs
I mentioned in a previous blog how the Australians and New Zealanders poke fun at each other frequently. One of the main points that New Zealanders will make is that their country is free of poisonous and dangerous animals (spiders, snakes, etc). You are many times more likely to see or be bitten by dangerous animals while visiting Australia.
I am here to put a stop to this myth. I discovered on this trip that the coastal areas of New Zealand are home to thousands of man-eating flies. The video evidence below provides proof.
As I review this video, I am reminded of the type of friends I have... not the loyal, dedicated helpful sort, but more of the type friend who laughs and makes fun of you at your lowest moments. Mark Clark, Reed Stephenson, Bill Langston, Will Carver, Shaggy... they all fit this mold... Larry Wray, Jeremy Graves... you get the picture. I learned through this film that Tim, my wife and even kind, sweet Liz (who is laughing uncontrollably in this video anytime I am not making eye contact with her) also fit this mold.
You will know who your real friends are if you ever encounter these menaces in the wild. I hope you all get as much of a laugh out of my pain as the rest of this group did.
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