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Published: August 6th 2009
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I have been in Tekapo for around six weeks now. I have been outside of Tekapo for a total of about six hours during this six week period. Cabin fever, or just plain restlessness, has taken its grasp over the last week. I decided on this weeks days off I would skip town. I checked the weather forecast for Mt Cook and Monday was supposed to be sunny and pleasant. Seemed like a good idea, go to Mt Cook, do some hikes and get some nice pictures. Picked up my bus tickets on Sunday for a Monday morning departure. Sunday night I was talking to my good friend Lucas, and after telling him about my Mt Cook plans Lucas invited himself. I was excited to have somebody to travel with as I usually travel solo.
Monday was a beautiful morning in Tekapo. I had my fingers crossed that the weather would be good in Mt Cook. Most people I have met that have been to Mt Cook have enjoyed cloud, rain, fog and bad visibility during the winter months. Mt Cook is a small village so Lucas and I loaded our backpacks up with the essentials required when visiting a
small village, beer.
The bus we boarded was a sightseeing tour bus with a glass roof. We sat in the back on the top deck enjoying our drive past sheep farms, lakes and mountains. Lucas rummaged through his backpack and came up holding two cold beers. Great idea I thought as I was handed a bottle. We were sitting at the back of the bus (just like in school days) and the drivers was on the lower deck. So we continued our bus ride with our refreshments enjoying the views. The sun was with us the whole hour and a half drive. Well we found our first clouds just outside of Mt Cook town. Maybe I wasn't going to get my Mt Cook pictures under a blue sky.
We checked into the hostel, packed our day bags and set off for a hike. In no time we were on a marked trail called the Kea Point Track. We were looking for some views of Mt Cook, the glacier and other large mountains. We hiked with beers in hand (its the rock n roll way to casually hike). In less then an hour we reached the lookout. Mt Cook
was well hidden behind clouds but most of his friends were under somewhat clearer skies. We took some photos and cracked more beers. We took our time at the lookout watching clouds pass over the mountains, hoping to catch just a little glimpse of Mt Cook's two peaks. Mt Cook is the highest mountain here in New Zealand and no trip is complete without a little trip out into the Mt Cook National Park. After a couple beers, a good chat and few photos, we were on our way back to the village.
As it is winter, dusk happens sometime after 5 O'clock making outdoor activities less enjoyable. Lucas and I decided to continue drinking at the hostel. After a little lunch of noodles and cups of instant soup (we did bring more then beer) we were still hungry and still drinking. So off we were to the only hotel in town, The Hermitage. I was in search of a burger and Lucas in search of more beer. The only place to eat in the whole town was a fancy hotel restaurant. Not exactly my style but in no time we were sitting in a room of well dressed
people at a candle lit table sipping beers. We ordered the lamb and it was delicious. We picked up some takeaway beers from the lounge on our way out and set out into the darkness to find our way back to the hostel. Back at the hostel we got the hostel guitar out and started playing and singing. I rarely sing in front of anybody but it seemed like a good time. We got a few looks or smiles from other guests but made no friends (maybe it was our singing or maybe it was the out of tune guitar).
The next morning I awoke to the sound of rain falling outside. It looked like we were not going to be going for a hike on this day. First on my agenda was breakfast and of course coffee. So back up to the Hermitage Hotel, due to lack of options, and got some toasted sandwiches and coffee. We lingered, waiting for the rain to stop. We looked at the gift shops then walked down to the tourist information center. First thing you notice when you walk in is how big this place is for just a small town. Under
further investigation we found that it was full of neat exhibits and information about the park. Pictures and stories of the first mountaineers to climb Mt Cook. They had examples of the gear used by these people. They even had a collection of cameras that have been used on Mt Cook over the years. The place was a real sleeper. We didn't expect to spend over an hour in the info center but it was a real pleasure. We now had less then 2 hours before the bus came so we went back to the hostel (also serves as the bus stop) and finished our leftover beers and read the paper.
The bus ride was beautiful on the way back to Tekapo. The clouds disappeared just outside of Mt Cook (its funny how that happens). We had spent just over 24 hours in Mt Cook and had a blast. We didn't accomplish the hikes that we wanted but it didn't matter, we had a great time. Maybe I will wander back to Mt Cook when the weather is better and try to accomplish a bit more then I did this time. I just hope I have as much fun
as I did this time.
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