🇳🇿 New Zealand｜Wanaka

Unlike the serene and pristine Tekapo, Wanaka—another glacial lake town—buzzes with life and warmth.🌳 There are many visitors, yet it never feels crowded or noisy.🔥 People scatter along the long shoreline— 😋reading, daydreaming, sunbathing, strolling, cycling, swimming, paddling.☕ I was lucky to stumble upon a local community event—a children’s choir performance. Families spread out picnic blankets, laughing and cheering under the open sky. 🍦If you walk left along the water’s edge, you’ll eventually reach the legendary "That Tree"—the world’s loneliest tree. It stands solitary in the lake, framed by glaciers and mountains, a picture of quiet melancholy. But in truth, it’s never alone—always watched by curious travelers coming and going. I stayed by the lake for a few days with no strict itinerary. Every morning, I’d walk from the hostel to the shore, wandering, snapping photos, losing myself in thought. I took many portraits of people here. I loved their ease—the way they coexisted with nature, so effortlessly. When tired, I’d just lie down somewhere. 🏄‍♀️The breeze was so soothing, lulling me into naps. I’d wake to golden sunset peaks, the crowds thinning, 📌Wanaka’s lively shores softening into stillness. 🌞 Then, under a blanket of stars, I’d wander back to the hostel. Though my time here was short, I fell in love with this town. How I envy those who live here—to stay long-term must be balm for the soul.🍂 I’ll return someday, when the leaves turn gold in autumn.✨ #NewZealand #NZTravel #SouthIsland #Wanaka #ThatWanakaTree #LakeWanaka #SlowTravel 🏔️