sueandstevestravels: PLAN B - MOUNT COOK, AVOIDING CHRISTCHURCH

The earthquake in Christschurch inevitably made us rethink our planned route. The quake struck on the Tuesday before we were due to be there for 4 nights beginning on Friday. A quick look at the map and a few phone calls and emails later, we had cancelled our previous bookings and were heading off for Mount Cook, via Hanmer Springs and Geraldine.

The road to Hanmer Springs was through rugged sheep country but, as usual, there were fewer sheep than we'd expected and plenty of cattle.

There aren't many places to stop BUT when we did find somewhere we struck lucky! Mount Lyford Lodge is gorgeous. Very Swiss-chalet like and very relaxing. If we can fit it in, we'd love to come here again and stay a night or two.

Even a hot-tub.

View from the lounge

After leaving the Lodge we ambled along, stopping when anything took our attention. Such as these sheep, who ran away as soon as Sue approached with the camera.

What a fabulous place to live.

It's that man again! on the other side of the road with his video.

The area became increasingly mountainous with breath-taking views at every turn.

We stayed a night at a town called Geraldine (!) More on this part of the journey on our next blog. It did boast the world's largest jersey (weighing 5.5kg.) and we regret now not taking a photo of it, though we did see it through the window! Mercifully we also missed the 42-metre-long half-scale tableau of the Bayeux Tapestry made entirely from tiny pieces of spring steel broken from knitting machines.

The next day we drove to Mount Cook amid startling scenery.

On the way was Lake Pukaki. Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, at an altitude of 710m., are reputed to have the clearest air in the southern hemisphere and are of an extraordinary colour, the light being reflected from mocroscopic rock particles suspended in glacial meltwater.

We even saw a photo-shoot.

Mount Cook

The 3754 metre Mount Cook is increasingly known by its Maori name Aoraki, meaning cloud-piercer.

We'd been advised to stay at the Hermitage at Mount Cook Village, and it was sound advice. The view from our room was breath-taking.

THe Hermitage offers more than just accomodation as there is also the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and a 3D theatre and Planetarium.

The Hermitage has a virtual monopoly on accomodation in Mount Cook Village but there is also The Old Mountaineers Bar for a drink by a roaring log fire.
Although born in Auckland, Sir Edmund Hillary spent much of his time at Mount Cook preparing for his ascent of Everest.

Once settled in, we did what everyone coming her does, and went for a walk. The signs to the Blue Lakes and the Tasman Glacier, as well as the info. in the 'Rough Guide', all claimed it would be a 1km. walk taking about 40 minutes. THEY LIED!! It took us about 2 hours in all and involved climbing up some serious rocks.

The Tasman Glacier is 600m. deep at its thickest point, 3km. across at its widest, and moves at the rate of 20cm. a day. As this information points out not much of it is visible..