Aoraki

Aoraki (Mt. Cook) is far more majestic and impressive than photos can tell.  It certainly dominates in a way that few other mountains do, much like Mt. Shasta in California and Denali in Alaska.  Aoraki means "Cloud Piercer" in Maori and it earns that 33% of the time. We were fortunate in that we had a beautiful day to enjoy it.  

The drive up along Lake Pukaki is a long, winding introduction to Aoraki, with both partial and full views of it and its neighbors.  Then, as you near, it simply begins to overwhelm, making humans and our creations seem puny in comparison.

We went on a glacial lagoon boat ride into Tasman Glacier Lake, formed by the Tasman Glacier and its advance and retreat.  We were once agin lucky in that the glacier had 'calved' a huge iceberg three days prior and the lagoon was full of its 'offspring.'  Normally, they only have three small icebergs but that day we had hundreds!

Following a very full day in the park, we drove to Lake Tekapo and camped for the night.  Rather anti-climatic and a poor campground, but still the day was grand.

Iceberg Alley

Along Lake Pukaki

Titanic!

View from the Hermitage Hotel

On the Glacial Lake

Pukaki Reflection

Tekapo Vista

Aoraki and Field

Aoraki

Someday

On the Plains

Hanging Ice

Sir Edmund Hillary

In Memorium

Back down the valley

Such tiny boats

The Blue Berg of Happiness

Blue Ice

Matterhorn Berg

Old Man of the Ice

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music

Contemplation

Lake Pukaki Blue

Lake Tekapo Blue

St. John's Church, Tekapo