Wānaka: Ruby Island, Van Rental, BBQ

Day 13: Couch Nap, Kayaking, Wanaka Tree, Ruby Island Exploring and Relaxation, BBQ, Pool Night, Rent Van

After kayaking, the group was surprised with a boat trip to the small Ruby Island where we spent the next 2 hours swimming and relaxing/recovering on the rock beach.

With the island proving lacking in quenching our hunger, the group headed back for a quick lunch and grocery shopping for the night's BBQ at one of the holiday homes. A group of us also had to stay behind to book separate transportation for 10 members of the group in our desire to get to the airport 2 days later for the Mt. Cook Heli hike. This began the very unexpected adventure of me driving a van on the other side of the road, for the first time, on the other side of the world.

Upon a relatively safe return to the holiday home, Aby, Danielle, Ethan and myself found ourselves desiring to do more than just sit and relax. Therefore, we decided to go for a walk around one of the many new neighborhoods in the area. The brand new homes has a very confusing and somewhat creepy feel as we could find no signs of life for the first half of our walk. Just new homes with evidence of residents, but no life. Eventually, we found an outdoor beer garden and decided to stop for a drink. Upon entering this beer garden on the other side of the world, I find a yard game all too familiar to my American DNA: Cornhole. Naturally, I had to teach the others how to play, while also having a fun chance to show off. After winning two games however, Ethan and I found ourselves strangely losing the final game and having to jump into the holiday homes pool upon our return with all of our clothes on, which did get a good laugh from the rest of the group.

The rest of the night involved nothing but a relaxing BBQ, many games of pool, and sleeping in a bed that, honestly, made me miss the couch.Read more