Day 1: Christchurch - Arthurs Pass - Hokitika - Fox Glacier - Haast Pass - Wanaka
 | Departed Christchurch around 7am. Low clouds encountered on the way to Arthurs Pass, where we stopped for breakfast. |
 | Otira Gorge Viaduct: Located a few kilometers beyond Arthurs Pass. |
 | Fox Glacier ("Te Moeka O Tuawe" in Maori; which means the sleeping place of Tuawe) in the West Coast of NZ's South Island. The terminal of the glacier is approximately an hour's walk (return) from the carpark. |
 | Due to the rainy weather, the waterfalls look great. However, it meant having to cross tiny "streams" on our way to the terminal. |
 | A closer view of Fox Glacier... |
 | Ship Creek (near Haast) - found this to be a nice quiet beach - lots of sandflies though!! We drove through the Haast region. My first impression of this place - nice but unfortunately the rainy weather did not permit any picture taking. Ah well, an excuse to come back another day ... |
 | Thunder Creek Falls: 55 kms east from Haast. A short walk from the main road. |
 | Wanaka: Stayed overnight here. We arrived late evening but luckily not too dark to enjoy dinner by the lakeside. |
 | Started the day with breakfast by the lake. Then we went off to Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World. There, we tried the Great Maze and visited the Illusions Rooms (including the Tilted House, the Ames Forced Perspective Room, and the Hall of Following Faces) and the Roman-styled toilets (do go even if you don't have to and bring the camera too!) There're also plenty of free puzzles to play with. |
 | After spending the morning at the Puzzling World, we drove to Queenstown through the Crown Range Road (my first time). This route is shorter than going through Cromwell and is very scenic. However, a part of the road after the Cadrona township is fairly steep and zig zags down towards State Highway 6. I'd be freaking out if I were the one driving. |
 | After a short trip to Queenstown, we drove to Lake Tekapo through Cromwell and Lindis Pass. Saw a lot of lupins along the way. Plenty around this region in December. Overnight at Lake Tekapo. |
 | Lake Tekapo on a cloudy morning - I've never seen the lake early in the morning but it's not that impressive when the sun is not out... |
 | Lake Pukaki |
 | Mueller Glacial Lake: This grey milky coloured lake is approx one hour return walk from the White Horse Hill campground (near Mt Cook Village). The upwards climb was certainly a bit challenging... perhaps breakfast beforehand would have helped. |
 | Back to Lake Tekapo when the sun is out - note the colour difference! |
 | View from inside the Good Shepherd Church |
 | Outside view of the church. |
 | Up close with Lake Tekapo |
Lake Tekapo - December 2007
South Island Lakes - November 2007
