Mount Cook & Tasman Glacier

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Pics to follow when we reach civilisation!!

Well - camped in our van alongside the Pukaki Lake looking up towards Mount Cook - amazing sunset and sunrise. Words cannot describe the scenery here - it is absolutely stunning. Water is a vivid turquoise (no exageration!) - with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. And yet it is so warm - daytime temperatures average 23-28 with sun and occasional cloud. The wind is north-westerly - which in NZ means warm (opposite of UK!).

Met yet more Kea's while having a morning cup of tea at the Hermitage Hotel while awaiting departure of our glacier boat cruise. After a 10 minute coach ride, we walked for approximately 20 minutes to the edge of the Tasman lake - complete with icebergs - quite surreal when standing in sun with a t-shirt on!

The Tasman Glacier is 27km long - the largest in NZ - and quite incredible. On board the boat we had an opportunity to dip fingers in the water for 10 seconds - which was too long! Survival time in the water is estimated at 5 minutes - so no messing about here! Cruised around the 5km lake for around an hour with excellent opportunities for pictures - and even better touching the icebergs.

I highly recommend this trip - it is an absolute bargain at 57 UK pounds per person (we pre-booked) - and is worth every penny. The lake and icebergs change every day - as conditions change and new ice breaks of the glacier. Brilliant!!!

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