The day before we left Queenstown we really amazed ourselves with how many tasks we managed to tick off our to-do list. Amazed and a little frightened by our own effiency, we turn the energy dial back from 11 to a nice comfortable 5 for the day of our trip. We set off in late afternoon and take the drive over the winding but scenic Crown range mountains and manage to make it as far as ...Wanaka.
Wanaka is only about a 2 hour drive from Queenstown, but we didn't want to be too ambitious on our first day! In truth, we had just planned to have a brief stopover in Wanaka and move on, but on a beautiful sunny day it's easy to get sucked in by Wanaka's chilled out vibe. We stop for some tasty micro-brewery beers at Kai on the waterfront and then take a stroll. Sometime in the late afternoon we decide we can't be bothered driving too much further that day so Wanaka will be our first place of temporary residence.
I hadn't forgotten about Cinema Paradiso, the cute little cinema I'd been looking forward to going to since I last graced Wanaka with my presence. There is only one showing left that night, Horrible bosses- which I've already seen, but I can't resist the charms of a little picturehouse that is wallpapered in old movie posters and has couches and a car for seats.
Just like days of yore there is an intermission, you can order your pizza before the movie to be ready for you at intermission or just purchase a gooey hot cookie. I make one of our non-budget meal indulgences on the trip on go for the pizza, delicious! We also partake in the other favorite intermission past-time taking cheesy pictures in one of the other seat choices- an old car!
Horrible bosses was just as much of a laugh the 2nd time around and the seasoned movie goer enjoyed it too which was a plus!
That night we dared to (dare I say the F-word)....Freedom Camp. Shhh don't tell anyone! Freedom camping is basically camping anywhere that is not a designated camp site. It's often allowed, depending on the area, but new laws have made it an offence in some places, and you can earn yourself a hefty fine especially when you don't have a toilet on-board your vehicle.
However, when your on a budget you've got to take some wild risks!
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