We pull ourselves from the comfort of a month-long shelter in Lyttleton, to head out on a 10-day road trip to Queenstown, New Zealand. Of course we shall trek toting backpacks along the way. Must maintain “hiking shape” for the five-day excursion from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
Views from Mt. John Track, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Hiking near Lake Tekapo, its water resembles the Caribbean, if you could imagine the Caribbean with a frigid wind.
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Surrounded by fields of Lupine, we find the Church of the Good Shepperd, that was built in 1935 to commemorate the early settlers.
Historic Stone Church on Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Lupine Near Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
The further south we travel, the more dramatic the scenery grows. Monster Glaciers carved out fjords between mountains years ago, making strenuous hikes more rewarding. Just stop on the trail, catch your breath, and then lose your breath again as the scenery takes it away.
Rocky Mountain Summit, Near Wanaka, New Zealand
Majestic Mt. Cook looks down upon us from the clouds as we leave the town of Twizel, where indeed it is forecast to drizzle.
Approaching Aoraki / Mt. Cook, New Zealand
The Hooker Track exceeds our expectations. Our favorite trek thus far. Once the morning fog lifted, “travel angels” graced us with a cloudless sky for two hours before the, you know, drizzle in Twizel descended upon us.
Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand
Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand
Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand
Fantastic Finish Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand
Oh, how fabulous the hot tub feels. Wood fires it, and cool spring water cools it. My muscles ache. Shouldn’t I be in “hiking shape” by now? Still waiting for that to happen. “Ain’t no spring chicken anymore.”
Omarama Hot Pools, Omarama, New Zealand
After hiking up Iron Mountain, then Rocky Mountain, and through the Clay Cliffs, just walking into town tests these aging legs, back and shoulders. But what a privilege. Just the fact that we are here doing this. We are beyond grateful.
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Track, Near Wanaka, New Zealand
Rocky Mountain Summit, Near Wanaka, New Zealand
Clay Cliffs, Omarama, New Zealand
That Wanaka Tree, Wanaka, New Zealand
Yes, we made it to Queenstown. Tomorrow morning, the “Milford Sound Track” calls us. Stay tuned, and we will see you in about a week as we will be without cell or Internet. It has been a long while since we have been off the grid. Looking forward to five days in the wild, remote, spectacular Fiordland National Park.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Thank you, Abundant Universe!
Love this! What a gorgeous country and, of course, Hooker Track would be your (Ron)!favorite hike! 😜
That church is beautiful! Safe travels over the next week…will be waiting for signs of survival! ☺️💗🙏
Thank you so much, Tammy. As you and DJ both know, survival is the name of the game. Just ask any hooker!
You realize we all get a vicarious kick from your adventures, right? Keep on truckin, baby!
Yes I do, and I am the one with sore legs and exotic diseases, but love every restless minute of it (most of the time)!
Those pictures from Hooker Valley were bonkers, made me feel like I was back in Nepal. Great stuff!
Truly made us feel like being in a fantasy land at times! You would love it.
It looks like the Abundant Universe gave New Zealand an extra sprinkle of magnificent. What an extraordinary place!
It certainly did. Yes it did! We visited about 23 years ago and always wanted to come back.
Agreed! Oh abundant universe! What gorgeous pictures of an unbelievable place! I wanna go! But alas, for now, I will deeply enjoy your blog! Thank you
You are welcome and thank you so much! The place keeps getting better!
Stunning photos! And always enjoy your prose too. Makes me want to book a flight post haste to the South Island. Not this year, but before my knees reach their expiration date for such a trek. Thanks for much for continuing to blog and post about your travels! Happy trails!
Thank you, Jill. As you know, blogs are not so popular as much anymore, but we do it for ourselves and friends. Always fun to go back and relive some trips. Yes, I totally understand about the knees, and don’t wait too long as time is not on our side!
Looks like you are enjoying the trip. I have some nice shots of my kids above Wanaka, also. We did the Milford twice, once had a snowstorm over McKenzie pass, it was quite an adventure…bring your DEET for the Sandfly Bay wait…if you have time/energy the Routebourne hike and the Kepler track are fun, also (on the Kepler hike you need to rent a rowboat to cross Pearl Harbor, which we did with a young woman from Hiroshima…go figure)
cheers
Tim
Cheers to you as well, Tim! Yes, we were very lucky with a rare five days (three of them hiking) of clear, cool skies. The pass is notorious, it was cold and windy but nothing like you experienced!
Wow what scenery! Drizzel in Twizel=😂🤣 Thanks for sharing what I will never see! Stay safe!
I know, and it’s a pleasure to share this amazing scenery. Marilynn has a gift for taking pictures. I’m too nervous and jerky.
Wow! Thx for letting us live vicariously!
I agree, wow works! So glad that you can join the enjoy.