Laughing Until We Cried and Illusions!

The next morning we (except Sam who was feeling a little under the weather and couldn't get out of bed!) got on the bus and headed to Makarora. Our first stop was at Lake Matheson, the reflective lake. It was just our luck that the wind decided to blow that morning and we were unable to get any decent photos!

We then headed to the Roaring Billy Falls, which were the other side from a fast flowing river. So we sat on a rock and watched the falls, while Fiona began liberating rocks from the path (by throwing them back into the river)! Ian & Merris decided to go for a swim in a rock pool only to discover that it was ice cold water!

Our next stop was at Thunder Creek Falls the silly photos continue. I think it was Ian's idea to stand on one foot, which is easier said that done on small wobbly rocks! Thankfully, no-one fell in!

We then arrived at an area that was called a 'pleasant flat recreational area'! It was true to its word! We got some great photos of the mountains in the distance and helped Ian get a crazy photo - he wanted to do a handstand with his head just above the mountain but couldn't get his balance so Kate & I held his legs while Dermot took the photo!

We arrived in Makorara and stayed in Alpine style lodges. The girls decided to have a quick swim before dinner in the very cold pool with lots of dead things floating in the shallow end! Needless to say, we didn't stay in the water long! That night, we ended up in the bar (again!), and tried to listen to Ian (on the piano) and Jon (on the guitar) but the pub wouldn't turn down their music so we headed back to our room.

We got into bed but no-one was in the mood for sleeping and we ended up making each other laugh so much that tears were running down our cheeks!!

The next day we had a lazy morning before getting back on the bus and headed towards Queenstown. On the way, we stopped at Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka to take pictures of the beautiful scenery. We then arrived in Wanaka and were given the option of going to the main town or being dropped off at Puzzling World - after Dermot's photo, there was no choice but to go to Puzzling World and see their Illusion Rooms!!

We began by attempting the Giant Maze - we had to go to the four towers in each of the corners and then make our way back out again! Ian & I spent most of the time climbing onto the bridges and trying to strategically plan our route. There were celebrations all round when we got to the final tower! On the way back out of the maze, some of the group gave up and took the short cut through the emergency exit (you know who you are you cheaters!!!)

We then went into the Illusion Rooms and Dermot decided to pose with the globe (practising his 'Illusionist' look for the camera!). We also had fun in the Ames Illusion Room - where you can make people appear to be a giant or a dwarf. But the best part was in the Tilted House where Dermot was able to perform an Illusion trick - rolling a pool ball uphill on a pool table and into the pocket. We laughed so much our sides ached!



Then it was back on the bus as we made our way to Queenstown.