South Island, New Zealand Day 3

13 October 2011 (Thursday)

Lake Tekapo is so so beautiful that I have to capture its splendour as much as I can. So woke at at 5.00am, in the freezing cold, again drove the short distance to the Church to get more pictures.

Hoping the area would be deserted, cause I do hate having people in my landscape pictures. And it is. Cause its so cold...

Just south of the lake, up on top of Mount John is the International Observatory. Read that its the perfect location since there's virtually no polution from any industry in the area and hence crisp clear view of the night sky.

Up there, there's a great view of the Lake again as well as the township.

There is even a Cafe up there, the Astro Cafe. A couple of coffees and some cakes to start the day. Appreciated the fact that a cafe like this would never survice in Malaysia.

Back down the Mount John, on route 8 to Lake Pukaki.

On the way, went pass the a river with the same baby blue colour as Lake Tekapo (and the bigger Lake Pukaki further south). Made a detour the the Salmon Farm, reach there and found the farm-visit closed for maintenance. Well at least managed to get nice pictures of the river and its colour.

After Lake Pukaki, which did not look spectacular since the sun is too bright, took the turnoff to the base of Mount Cook.

One hour drive each way.. okay, I am a lousy driver.. so sue me :)

At the base of Mount Cook is the Hermitage Lodge, a high, very high-end accomodation with killer view of the splendid Mount Cook from every room.

There's also a statue and an Alpine discovery Center in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary, one half of the duo who first stepped on to the peak of the Everest.

Spent too much there at the Hermitage browsing through souveniers.

Sceneries on the way out back to Route 8, driving all the way worrying about my petrol level. Although that didnt stop us from stopping again and again for more photos :).

Stopped by Twizel, the nearest town to Mount Cook for petrol and some groceries.

Due to time constraints, missed Oamaru, stopped for a while at Crowmwell for a toilet break.

Entered Queenstown passed 5pm, and to our disapointment, all the wineries are closed.

Luckily, managed to get to see the last couple of bungy jumps at the Hackett bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge.

Stopped by Arrowtown, first to the Hobbiton-feel old chinese settlement, and later to the main street for a look-around and more photos.

Arrived in Queenstown, checked in at our accomodation. Took the Skyline Gondola up even though was told every outlet up there was booked for some private functions.

Managed to get some stunning sunset though. Wanted to wait for some night sceen of Queenstown, but the sun dont seems to want to set down.

Hunger force us down, walk to Queenstown for dinner and more souvenier shopping.

The dock by Lake Wakatipu where the steamshp TSS Earnshw is berth.

Accomodation for the night, Creeksyde (NZD72). Got our own private carpark (which is totally useful for tomorrow). One thing though, you need to rent cooking utensils here.