Monday, January 9/23 – Christchurch to Mount Cook

Kia Oro or welcome. Our tour of the South Island took a bit of a twist today as we met our travel mates and guides. We were designated the south bound group meaning our route would be clockwise round the island. Initially we were to head north but the other segment of the tour group went that way. We are 14 travellers (5 Canadians & 7 Americans) plus two young female guides, Nicola and Broghan. We’re in a 18 person van pulling a luggage trailer so there’s sufficient room and relative comfort. That’s important because today was a van day and no hiking. From Christchurch we traversed the Canterbury plains through the foothills and into the Mackenzie basin on our way to Mount Cook in the southern alps.

The Canterbury plains is dominated by cattle ranches which are expanding annually at the expense of sheep farming due to economics. There were still, however, thousands of sheep along the way. The vista was fairly brown and barren and stretched endlessly in all directions.

Turning off the main highway towards the foothills meant a slight change of scenery, more greenery (and many more sheep).

Deeper into the Mackenzie basin we came upon Lake Tekapo which was a wonderful combination of colours framed by the southern alps in the distance.

We then turn onto the solitary road leading to the Mount Cook national park. It ran alongside Lake Pukaki which also displayed various greens and teal sections. These lakes form the basis of a major hydroelectric system providing electricity to a significant portion of the southern part of the South Island.

Climbing up the valley brought us closer to Mount Cook, the tallest peak in NZ (12,218 feet). And finally we arrived at our destination, literally a stones throw from the mountain. Breathtaking.