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Published: January 11th 2012
An early start today, as we made our way on to the coach. It was all a bit exciting as we hit the road. We started with a drive around Christchurch, and the weather was fine this morning. After a stop at “Mona Vale”, a lovely garden, we headed off to the Canterbury Plains.
As we drove along, the clouds began to disappear and the sun peeped through. The Canterbury Plains went on and on for miles, with large hedges cut from rows of full-sized pine trees, used to protect livestock from the severe winter winds. In the distance to the west we could see the mountains getting closer, with a few being snow-covered.
A stop for morning tea and some shopping at the "Tin Shed", then it was off to Lake Tekapo. We stopped to take photos of the Church of the Good Shepherd, and Lake Tekapo, which was very beautiful in the brilliant sunshine. We had a rushed lunch in the town, and then made our way to Mount Cook. The countryside changed from one of lush green to a barren landscape, testament to being in a rain shadow.
The views from our coach window of
Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook were just breathtaking as the road wound its way around the Lake.
We arrived at the Mount Cook Airport, and boarded our ski plane for the flight up to Mount Cook, and the Tasman Glacier. There were 8 of us in the plane, plus the pilot. Ian managed to score the front seat, and I sat behind next to Rosemary and Graham Prior – it was an excellent position from which to video the entire flight.
The scenery was wonderful, and the pilot flew very close to the mountains. Ian took about 200 photographs during the 40 minute trip.
When we landed on the glacier, it felt like we were going very fast, and then the plane just turned 180° in the snow, and we came to a stop. We made our way down off the plane and stood in the snow – it was so quiet and peaceful up there, with very little breeze, and the sun shining in a blue sky. We could hear some small rock slides or avalanches in the next valley, while we took or posed for photographs.
After about ten minutes we were off again,
The Tin Shed
A great place to buy souvenirs and woolen garments made from sheep wool and possum fur.and flew right up to the side of Mount Cook, getting quite close.
When we landed, we were driven by the airport bus to meet up with the others at the Hermitage Lodge. They were all interested to find out how we enjoyed our flight, and then we all settled down for an hour’s drive to Omarama, our stop for the night.
We arrived at the Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama at about 6 o’clock, and after a few minutes wandering around the very small town, we sat outside the local pub with some new friends, De, Warren, Vera, John and Barry. Barry and his wife Corinne had flown on a different flight from ours, and were still getting over it – their pilot had caused some anxious moments, as he manoeuvred in between, and pretty close to, the mountains.
At about 7 o’clock we headed to the restaurant for dinner, and shared a table with Jos & Pat Tap, and Lorraine & Robert Swanson.
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