The sun rises over Lake Wakatipu. |
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Shortly after leaving Queenstown we passed the Kawarau Bridge. This is the site where bungy jumping started and continues today  |
Then we passed some of the vineyards of the Central Otago region.  |
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Here also are lots of orchards.  |
The bus stopped for a break at a fruit stand.  |
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Continuing along the somewhat narrow 2-lane road there were some obstacles: Sheep  |
and a house!  |
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Much of the landscape was very barren and we saw more sheep.  |
Another rest stop.  |
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Another stop provided us with our first incredible views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook. At 3,724m (12,218 ft) it is the highest mountain in New Zealand.  |
For a while the way followed the Hooker River.  |
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Then we reached The Hermitage where we would stay for one night.
The views from our rooms were incredible. |
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In the afternoon we hiked the Hooker Valley Track.  |
Ahead of us were amazing views of Mt. Cook. |
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A bit to the west is Mt. Sefton, 3158m, and the Mueller Glacier.  |
Mueller Lake comes from the Mueller Glacier.  |
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The track crossed the Hooker River three times on suspension bridges.  |
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Our track continued to follow the Hooker River upstream through a narrow gorge  |
and then a broad plain  |
where there were lots of wildflowers. |
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After crossing another bridge,  |
we reached Hooker Lake at the base of the Hooker Glacier. The lake contained numerous icebergs.  |
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The views were breathtaking.  |
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We returned on the same track to the Hermitage where before and
during dinner we were entertained by several Keas. |
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Many opted for a deluxe buffet dinner and others had a deluxe a la carte
dinner. |
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