Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki & Mt Cook

I revisited Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki during the Canterbury Show Day. This time, I ventured a little further to the Mt John Observatory and the Mt Cook Village as well. Lake Tekapo has always been one of my favourites (if not THE favourite), but this time, I found Lake Pukaki even more breathtaking. These photos do not really do these lake enough justice - you've got to be here yourself (on a clear sunny day) to appreciate these lakes.

	Lake Tekapo: This lake usually has a stunning turquoise colour (the result of glacier-ground rock sediment in the water). I think it was the colour of the lake that won me over and lures me to return almost annually. I was a little disappointed I did not see it this time - the lake appeared more blue than turquoise. Tekapo is a Maori word meaning night sleeping place (Taka = "sleeping mat"; Po = "night").
	Church of the Good Shepherd: This church, which lies on the shores of Lake Tekapo, is arguably one of the most photographed church in New Zealand.
	The church has an altar window which frames the view of the lake and the mountain.
	Lake Alexandrina: This lake lies beside Lake Tekapo; this picture is taken from Mt John Observatory (where there is also a great view of Lake Tekapo). Oh yeah, there's a timny cafe at the Observatory where you can sit and enjoy the view (which we did).
	Lake Pukaki: This lake has a nice shade of blue (also caused by glacial flour) and the scenery is breathtaking particularly when you can see the peak of Mt Cook (Aoraki) in the background (apparently not that often). The meaning of Pukaki in Maori is "bunched-up water".
	Reflections in Lake Pukaki...
	... more reflections - can't get enough of them!!!
	View of Mt Cook on the way to the Mt Cook Village...
	Mt Cook (Aoraki): The highest mountain in NZ. Aoraki means "cloud piercer".

West Coast - October 2007

	Spent the Labour Weekend visiting the West Coast (from Westport to Karamea). Stopped by Lake Brunner on our way to West Coast. The lake, named after Thomas Brunner, has the Maori name Moana Kotuku, meaning “lake of the white heron”. (We didn't see a heron though).
	Was quite impressed by the scenery in Karamea. Unfortunately it was raining most of the time - so we didn't take too many pictures. The weather cleared for a while for us to take a walk and snap this clear reflection at the Mirror Tarn. Would like to revisit this region some day...
	We were based in a holiday home in Ngakawau. The great thing about this place is that the beach is merely 15-20m from the backdoor! Could hear the waves crashing in continuously...
	Keep forgetting to buy C a cake for her birthday so we made use of natural resources at the beach - it is afterall the thoughts that count :P
	Here's what we have to say before we left...

Akaroa - September 2007

	Drove to Akaroa to check out Le Jour du Marché (Market Day) and the 2007 French Fest. Enjoyed the French music while walking down the main street in Akaroa. Had escargot/snails at the market (yay!). A little disappointed there weren't more things French...
	We took the scenic route on our way out. Great views (see pic) but a bit dizzying. We even "chased" after a bunny which insisted on running in middle of the road right in front of the car...
	Stopped for late lunch at the Hilltop - good decent sized meals and breathtaking views. Could have sat there until dinner really.

Nelson Lakes - June 2007

	Spent Queen's Birthday in the Nelson Lakes region. We stayed at the Alpine Lodge (in St Arnaud village) which is very close to Lake Rotoiti. The other main lake in this region is Lake Rotorua (not to be confused with the one in the North Island!). Found this region very peaceful. Unfortunately, the weather did not permit us undertaking too many walks around the region.
	In Maori mythology, the lakes were created by the great chief Rakaihaitu digging holes with his ko (digging stick). One great hole became Lake Rotoiti (small waters) and ...
	... the other Lake Rotoroa (large waters). Later geologists described the lakes as basins scooped out by glaciers.
	Another highlight - standing on the Alpine Fault Line.

Sydney - April 2007

	Catching up on my blog entries... haven't logged on for so long that I have even forgotten how to log on! Uploading some pics of my third trip to Sydney in April 2007. Got a good bargain to jump in a plane and hop across the Tasman for a few days. It is meant to be a cruisy trip so we spent quite a bit of time people-watching while sipping coffee :) New places covered this time include:
	Sydney Opera House: We did a tour of the Opera House, and I was sufficiently impressed by the Concert Hall to want to attend a concert there some day.
	Luna Park: We did a few rides here but did not have enough courage in the bag to try them all.
	St Mary's Cathedral: Missed the Crypt - will have to visit that the next time I'm in Sydney.

Rangitoto

I'm finally giving this blog a go... I was hit by the "blogger-mania" at home a little while back, registered a blog name (thanks to my sis) but never got round to making a post. Let me start with my weekend in Auckland...

I took the time to visit Rangitoto Island with my sis. The walk to the summit (about 45 mins to 1 hour) was a little more challenging than I had anticipated - the supposedly "gentle" climb was still a little much for me (who is obviously unfit). The view from the summit made the climb worthwhile though. We also saw the "Queen Mary 2" cruise liner on our ferry ride back - everyone was trying to take a picture of the cruise liner on its only day in Auckland. I took the last flight out of Auckland and hence, missed the CNY reunion dinner. All I had for dinner was a biscuit and cup of coffee from Air NZ.