The view of lake tekapo from our bedroom balcony:
We decided to make use of today to the fullest. First destination – Observatory.
Some windy hair-pin steep climb and we are here at the carpark. The views from the observatory….i will leave you to comment.
You can see that the two lakes in the above photos have different colour. The turquoise colour lake is Lake Tekapo and the deep blue colour lake is Lake Alexandrina. Different lake colour water is what make NZ lakes so unique.
The view of tekapo town and our motel from the top of the observatory:
Motuariki Island in the middle of Lake tekapo, which was clearly visible from the Observatory but somehow not noticed when we went to the shore of the lake yesterday:
The plume of clouds that got stucked in between the two hills last night retreated a bit:
Southern light has been recorded, according to this DVD promotional booklet found in the café:
(The above 2 photos taken by K)
We then proceed to Mount Cook Village, somewhere near Twizle. Twizle is a town that was not meant to be – it was supposed to be demolished after the hydroelectric project ended but 18 years down the road, when the construction was finally over, the project personnel and their families grew to love the place and decided to stay put in Twizle.
We passed the Tekapo Army Camp on the way to Mount Cook. We stopped along the way to take some scenic shots of Mount Cook, which was not blocked by the clouds. Absolutely gorgeous sunny care free day. View of Mount Cook and its cousins across Lake Pukaki:
Photo below showed the view of Mount Cook across Lake Pukaki taken from the car park near the Tourist office. This is when I first learn the story of the Punamu, the legendary green stone that the Maori adores.
Can you see the moron swimming in icy cold lake pukaki in the photo?
Pine cones that fell off everywhere (sometimes hit you in your head):
We are the only car on the road while driving to Mount Cook Village:
Hermitage is the only hotel (quite ex) in Mount Cook Village, there is also a YHA backpacker hostel though. It must be cool to stay there for a night as the snow mountains are all just nearby.
Mount Cook is the grandest of them all, and you cant miss it, as distinct as the Matterhorn. We went to the cafeteria of Hermitage to have some tea cum lunch. Hot choc came with mush mellow, so nice! And the chicken pie, totally delicious.
The staff will give you this gadget once you ordered. The gadget will sound an alarm once ur food is ready to be picked up. Cool eh?
(The above 2 photos taken by K)
We recharge our energy for the afternoon activity. First we shall drive to Tasman Lake to see the glacier.
It is not a tar road so as we drive, we will generate cyclone of dust behind us (which explained what we saw before we reached Hermitage earlier – dust cyclones made by other cars) Need some climb tho…met these two gentlemen at a junction and asked them whether the boats to Tasman Lake is available. They said you have to sign up and sign indemnity form at the Hermitage before they will ferry you around in Tasman Lake. They couldn’t catch a boat cos they didn’t sign up at the hotel earlier.
The view of Tasman Valley which were carved out by glacier ions ago. You can see the winding path that lead up to the viewing point. I was halfway through when I took this photo:
We continue to climb till we reach the top of the hill and viola! Glacier chucks broken off and floating on Tasman Lake, formed by melting glaciers.
The river flow rapidly from Tasman Lake downstream. Very pristine water. The glacier is as usual looked dirty. It is cold to stand and admire the view due to the wind but all worth it. Trust me, without the loud speaking asian tourists that we are accustomed with and only with the quiet angmos, the scene can be very tranquil and peaceful. Totally love the view of the valley seen from the top.
We were wondering how does it feel to dip our hands into the icy cold river water so we went down and walk the other path to touch the water. Not that easy tho, got to navigate and at times jump over big rocks. When we finally managed to touch the water, the chill is all worth it.
Went back to the car park and J told us the Australian couple suggested we go and take a look at Hooker Valley, which also has glacier view and very little climbing involved. We sped off to Hooker Valley and started walking towards the swing bridge.
It takes a total of 4 hours to complete the trek to the end point. Some parts scrambles.
(Picture courtesy of K)
M and R finally surrender at the second swing bridge and return, while the old couple that went with us trudged on. The swing bridge above the river.
The only toilet stop along the whole Hooker Valley trail.
Thank god it is boardwalk towards the last quarter of the walk.
(Picture courtesy of K)
Finally reached the Hooker Lake. The ice chunks are clearer and more pristine than those mud covered ones floating on Tasman Lake.
The end of the trail. Glacier is not that far away. Area prone to avalanche, very unstable landscape.
Previous avalanche. We heard a loud thud on our way back, wonder what could have happened somewhere nearby. Another avalanche? Glacier chunks broke off? God knows.
By the time J, K and I got back to the car, it is already 6pm. We went back to the Hermitage and the café is already closed.
Cotton wools above the hills as seen when we drove back to the motel.
J, K and I walked to the church to capture some night shots. It is kinda fun to walk in the middle of midnight, without any street lights (Lake Tekapo doesn’t have any street lights so that it will not create any light pollution in the area). K brought a long a LED table lamp which was excellent in helping us to see our way and checking the buttons on the camera in a blind. Full moon shining on the church roof and patiently wait for the SLR capture the scenery on tripod.
(The above 2 night shots belong to K)
You have probably reached the end of the page. But thats not the end of our adventure. Please click the Older Posts link below on right hand side to continue reading.
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