Picture Perfect

Location: McKenzie Region, Canterbury
South Island, New Zealand

I was slowly making my way further south and knew I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see Mt Cook, the country’s tallest peak. Situated in the McKenzie region, about halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown.

I opted to explore this part of the country via an organized day tour – I’m not sure if my ‘driving-on-the-other-side-of-the-road’ skills were up for the test.  I was picked up bright and early, right at my doorstep.  And the best part of this tour?  There were only 2 other passengers!  A very lovely retired couple from Northern Ireland (a family doc and nurse).  Combined with our lovely driver, we all became fast friends and felt like we were on a fun road trip by the end of our very long day!

The first stop was one I was highly anticipating: Lake Tekapo, one of New Zealand’s prettiest lakes.  It is also the location of one of the country’s most iconic photographed sites: the Church of The Good Shepard, on the banks of the lake.

The colour of the lake, quite simply, is almost indescribable.  A blue like I’ve never seen!  Not green, not quite blue either.  Pale turquoise, maybe?  It all depends on how the light reflects off the water.  Often, it is literally shimmering in the sunlight.  The lake gets its iconic colour from rock particles that become trapped in the glacier over hundreds of years and, over time, are ground to a fine snow-white powder.  Once the ice melts and feds into the lake, it combines with rain water and creates this amazing colour.  Incredible, impressive, I could go on and on.

Lake Tekapo

If visiting one incredibly beautiful and picturesque lake wasn’t enough, how about visiting a second one shortly after?  Situated near between Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki is another stunning body of water.

Mount Cook can be seen in the background, towering impressively over Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki is another glacial-fed lake.  With a volume of 4.66 km³, it appears massive!  Aqua water as far as  far as you can see, perfectly still and sparkling in the light.

The shores of Lake Pukaki

Seriously?  Is this real life?

We continued our journey towards Mt Cook Village, nestled at the base of the snow-capped mountain.  We drove past impressive glaciers and deep valleys, Anoraki (the Maori name for Mt Cook) ever looming in front of us.

Glacier near Mt Cook, a part of the Southern Alps chain of mountains

Mother Nature is impressive.  Retreating glacial ice carved this valley millions of years ago.

Aoraki / Mt Cook – it now measures 3,724 metres, having lost about 60 meters in 1991 during a rock slide and subsequent erosion.  It continued to be New Zealand’s tallest peak.

Mt Cook is considered topuni (a special place) to the Ngai Tahu people and I couldn’t agree more.  We were fortunate enough to pause for lunch here, tucked into a little table with a large window, looking out unto the mountain.  There’s just something about mountains, especially snowy peaks that gets to me.  A sense of awe, a feeling of standing amongst such imposing peaks, gazing at the wonders that this world created.  It’s magical!  (remember, I ❤︎ Switzerland after all!).  

We were also extremely fortunate to be visiting the area on a clear and sunny day.  Our guide mentioned that often, when they arrive near Mt Cook, the clouds are low and visibility is so poor, the mountain can’t be seen!  Thank you Papatūānuku!

With bellies full and the sun shining brightly (two elements that don’t necessarily mix well with exercise), we headed off for a short 30 minute hike up to the Tasman Glacier viewing platform.  After huffing and puffing our way up the millions of stairs (did I mention it was literally right after lunch?  And a free buffet lunch, I might add), we were rewarded with a 360 degree view of the landscape.  Worth it!

The Tasman Glacier, the country’s longest glacier

What a wonderful day!  This area of the country is stunning, straight out of National Geographic and Planet Earth!  These sites will long stay engraved in my memory and the experience cherished in my heart.