Today we continued our mountain travels.  We headed out of Geraldine to Lake Tekapo. There’s some beautiful country in between, although it was very cloudy most of the way. Fortunately there is a mountain range just north of Tekapo that magically (as you’ll see) blocked the clouds.  They tried all day to go over and in through the pass, but didn’t make it.  That left our day hiking at Tekapo and then heading to our ultimate destination at Twizel nothing but blue skies!

Some of the country we drove through.

We had a lovely hike up to the observatory at Tekapo. Yes, observatory. They put those on the top of really tall mountains. Ann is trying to kill me-it was three hours straight uphill-but with beautiful views of the lake.

Our lunch spot. Just stunning!

View from the summit.

One of the passes in the background. You can just see where the clouds are stacking up on the other side.

After our hike up (and down) the mountain, we continued on our way to Twizel (pronounced “Twyzel”, but it maybe should more accurately rhyme with “fizzle”-not too exciting a place).  Coming around a curve we suddenly saw Mt. Cook.  Grand!  It is a hugely majestic mountain and we’re looking forward to visiting and hiking there tomorrow.

Mt Cook in the distance at the far end of Lake Pukaki.

Ann getting acquainted with Mt. Cook (which in this picture is still 80 km in the distance).

So, tomorrow we drive to the base of Mt. Cook some 80 km away.  We’ll hope for another clear day.

A word on the town of Twizel for those who might follow in our footsteps.  It’s an OK place to stage for further adventure, i.e. Mt. Cook, but don’t expect much.  Our hostel (“High Country Lodge”) and the town in general rate about a “1” on a scale of 1-10 for charm. There is literally none here.  It’s a clean room, but more a barracks than a lodge.  Oh well, we’re been so lucky this far we really can’t complain.  Oops, we just did!    😉