We drove to Mount Cook. There were very few places to stay in Mount Cook Park. We stayed in a hostel with shared bathrooms, but at least we had our own room.
One day, we did the Hooker valley trail. It was a pretty easy hike, but with beautiful surroundings. The Left mountain is Mt Sefton. We started at 10:20AM.
Mueller lake outlook. 3 swinging bridges. After 2nd bridge, we finally saw Mt Cook!
We even saw an avalanche! (First heard loud rumble). Mt Cook buttercup flowers
At 12:10 we arrived at Hooker lake (Mt Cook viewpoint). We ate our sandwiches there. At 1:15p head back. At 3pm, we arrived back at the parking lot (super slow pace because I was feeling sick).
The Chamois (restaurant): Prob only reasonably priced food, good views, but too many flies.
There were a few other trails in the area: Tasmin lake and glacier lookout: 15min up stairs.
Gray/brown lake: glacial water with glacial "flour", ground up rocks.
Blue water: settled glacial flour, but glacial particles still reflect and make water blue.
Green water means it is rain water.
Tasman lake trail: about 30min one way, flat.
Tasman river: see icebergs up close!
Kea point: 1hr rtrn, easy. View of Mt cook and Sefton. But glacier debris block view of Hooker Valley
On our way back to Christchurch, we drove to Lake Pukaki: Beautiful light blue glacial water of Pukaki Lake at Peters look out with Mt Aoraki/Cook in the background.
Lake Pukaki viewpoint: so many cairns!
We stayed our last night at Tekapo. Church of the Good Shepherd is the most photographed church in NZ. Beautiful lupines on Tekapo lake!
Blue Lakes Eatery and Bar: lamb shank, salmon.
Most difficulty in NZ: finding gas station that takes our credit card because they all require a pin which US credit cards done have. So we have to find a gas station that's mamned. Some restaurants have same issue donuts good to have cash.
No comments:
Post a Comment