Twizel and Lake Tekapo 23 & 24 Feb

With about 220 miles ahead of us we set off early from Te Anau for Twizel. Back home this would be the equivalent to a long slog to Chester but back home we don't have long empty roads with no traffic like the Kiwis do, so we just had to force ourselves to take in mile upon mile of big, awesome scenery and enjoy the drive. I say big because things here are on a scale of their own.



After checking in at our motel we drove up to Lake Pukaki, at the far head of which lies the 3764 metre giant that is Auroraki Mount Cook. I said about Milford Sound that it was hard to put things into words - well now it's getting harder to take photos that will barely begin to do this country justice. Lake Pukaki under a blue, sunny sky was a vivid bright blue, made that way by the pigment from the glacier that feeds it. I can only say it looked incredible and, just like when we were in Hawaii, we're pinching ourselves because we know how fortunate we are to be here.

The next day (Wednesday 24 Feb) we only had a 40-mile drive so we diverted to Mount Cook and did a short, steep walk to a view point where we could see the Tasman glacier. Try looking it up to see just how fast it's receding. We then drove on to Lake Tekapo where we drove up to the Mount John observatory where we were rewarded with fantastic 360-degree views of the lake and the vastness beyond. We then went and found out accommodation for the night, the lovely Pioneer Tourist Flat where we spent the first hour or so chatting with the owner Sheila, who came over from Christchurch (Dorset) in 1975 and has never looked back. The flat, right on the lake edge, has views to die for and we could easily spend much more time here, maybe on the next trip!