Walking Among Giants

After arriving in Wanaka on Saturday, we got checked into our hotel at the Wyndham.  We headed into the small downtown area for window shopping and dinner.  We both found some merino wool clothing at a local sports shop.  We visited New World Market to buy groceries.

View in Wanaka from the downtown area

Early Sunday morning we headed to Mount Cook National Park, about 2.5 hours from Wanaka.  Mount Cook (70,696 hectares) is New Zealand's great alpine park. It has the highest mountains and the largest glaciers. Aoraki/Mount Cook village and all visitors to the park are dwarfed by the immensity of the landscape that surrounds them.  This park is located in the central part of the South Island, deep in the heart of the Southern Alps. 

The 4 hour hike was breathtaking - enjoy some of the views along the way!

Entrance to Mount Cook Park

The park is a harsh land of ice and rock. Glaciers cover 40% of it. There are 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. The park is also part of Te Waipounamu - South Westland World Heritage Area in recognition of its outstanding natural values.

One of many streams crossed

Trail winding along the mountain before the swing bridge

And around the corner...is Mt. Cook!!

Almost there....

About as far as we can go....glacier in the background.

A look back as we left the park.

Check back for our next stop....Queenstown and the Southland area!!!

Cruizin' on the Ice

On Thursday, Kelly and I decided to not only view one of the largest glaciers in New Zealand (Franz Josef) but to walk on it.  We booked a tour for a half day walk and enjoyed a long walk to the glacier and strenuous trek up scree fields to the glacier.  The day was warm, our guide (Ben) was wonderful and knowledgeable.  Enjoy the pictures.

Franz Josef Glacier - our destination!

Our guide, Ben - he "grew up" on the glacier and was so knowledgeable!

On the glacier

Walking in the crevices.

View of the crew!

Straight up through the ice!!

Kelly (second from right) maneuvering on the Franz Josef!

Next - on to Wanaka!!

Arthur's Pass

Waking up on Thursday, we peered out our hotel window to rain...pouring rain.  Yet, our plans to hike in Arthur's Pass National Park would not be deterred!  After a 70 minute drive inland, we rounded a valley to bright sunny skies!  Enjoy the pictures!

Entrance to Arthur's Pass National Park

View from Trailhead to Bealey Spur Trail

View about 1/2 way up Bealey Spur Trail

Kelly capturing the scenery.

Easterly long view from top of Bealey Spur Trail

The money shot from atop Bealey Spur Trail.

Devil's Punchbowl Falls

Tomorrow look for our adventure to Franz Josef Glacier!!

Motukiekie Beach Walk

Wednesday morning we packed up early and left for the west coast of the south island.  It was raining when we left but wonderfully sunny when we arrived at the Motukiekie Beach Walk.  We timed our arrival at a few hours before low tide.  What Motukiekie's got is an offshore sea-stack cornucopia, high cliffs and arches and caves and waterfalls and corrugated tidal shelving.  Enjoy the pictures.

Sea stacks at the start of the walk

Sea Stacks

Rocks at low tide.

A sea stack "head."

Sweeping cliffs along the shore.

Mt. Doom...Looking for Frodo

The package we did at Adventure Park Lodge & Motel included two nights, two breakfasts, a packed lunch for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Mt. Doom and Mordor) and dinner.  Because there was heavy rains on Sunday and more forecast for Monday, Lorraine was concerned that we would have rain for our 12+ mile alpine crossing of Tongariro, an active volcanic mountain area.  But we were fortunate and only a light misting at one point in the crossing.  We were on the way to find Frodo…we found Mt. Doom and Mordor!!

At Doom Trail Head - on at 9am done at 3:30

Mt. Doom - You can see Frodo way at the top left.

Kelly and Mt. Doom

Mordor

Steam from the active volcanic action!

We hiked up from the other side and down this side....you can see people way on top.

Red Crater and Mt. Doom behind

Back to the Motel for relaxation, dinner and early bed!

Touchdown in New Zealand

I arrived at Auckland International Airport about 7am Sunday morning (December 4) and quickly found myself in the bio-security check line, since I had brought used hiking equipment and boots into New Zealand.  The New Zealand government is very particular about the possibility of foreign “bad stuff” finding itself walking into the country on someone’s boots or hiking poles. But if you don’t declare that you have potential bio-security hazards, you can be fined $400 on the spot.  My boots were checked and I passed (I had washed them before packing them).

After exiting the International Terminal, I got a day room at the airport hotel (1 minute walk from the terminal), took a shower and quick nap – with Kelly due to arrive from Afghanistan within the next 6 hours.  At 2pm, I walked over to the terminal to await her clearing customs and baggage check. 

Apparently, in the mix of the crowd, I missed her exit and she exchanged US dollars, walked around a bit and then was asking for directions to the hotel when I finally spotted her.  It was so good to see her.

We got to the hotel where Kelly unpacked some, showered and freshened up.  We then checked out and caught the shuttle to the rental car location.  While we knew the cars were smaller than in the US, we were surprised at the one they gave us.

Sitting on the right side of the car to drive and driving on the left side of the road is a bit mind blowing.  Going straight was no problem…it is turning that you have to remember which lane to end up in.  A couple of time I turned into the wrong lane (right one in US) and Kelly had to remind me to “Get on the other side of the road!!”

We drive about 4 hours to National Park Village where we were staying for two night at Adventure Park Lodge & Motel.  Our room was grand and quaint with a separate bedroom and three beds, as well as kitchenette.  Lorraine, the owner, greeted us in wonderful, Kiwi friendly fashion – making us feel like old friends.  Then off to bed for the next day adventure in search of Frodo!

One Step Closer to the Southern Hemisphere

Left for LA this morning (afternoon after delay) and arrived to Santa Ana windstorm - worst in over a decade.  Short shuttle ride to my hotel with two large duffles and backpack.  Fortunately, the duffles have straps to carry on my back.

Luggage to New Zealand

Will stay overnight at this hotel and back to LAX tomorrow for my flight to New Zealand.  Still waiting to hear from Kelly as to when she will arrive in NZ.  I have some final bits of work to do before I go to the airport.