2X Woods Christmas Vacation- Lakes and Glacier, Day 4

We spent the night in a small town called Alexandra. The church has a small dependent branch here. After breakfast we headed to Wanaka. It was loaded with tourists, and quite a popular spot to be seen, I guess. Luckily the Woods clan wasn't interested in that, so after a quick view of the lake in town, we continued on around the lake, found a small spot on the beach for lunch, then headed further to see how close we could hike to the Rob Roy glacier. We had an hour drive on gravel and washboard. After 9 water crossings, we got there. The van is holding up well. It did start to hear some rattling down low on the washboard after a while.

Looking toward Alexandra.

Stopped at a Lavender Farm near Wanaka. Bought some honey, and other lavender scented stuff.

Lunch spot on Lake Wanaka

The day was again just gorgeous-clear, warm, calm. We parked and headed up a valley. In New Zealand you don't hike. You either are on a walk or a tramp.  Not sure which ours was, maybe in between.  Lois hike up the valley with us, but opted out of the climb up the side canyon toward the glacier.  Didn't want to irritate her knees (and she would have).

We were able to get to the end of the trail below the glacier. The photos don't really show how impressive it was.

We saw several waterfalls along the trail.

The trail up the valley on our walk/tramp.

The river in the valley.

more waterfalls

The swinging bridge over the river, to the hike up the canyon to the glacier.

The swinging bridge is the typical crossing in New Zealand for the walkers.

Lois had a good time on her photo adventure.

All this is part of Mt. Aspiring National Park

End of the up-canyon hike for this girl.

and up we go. Glacier in the distance.

Getting closer

Rob Roy Glacier

Always tourists in the way for a photo.

This was an 8.5 mile round trip hike. 5 years to 65+years. ha ha.

Looking down at the valley.

Farming in the valley.

After all the fun, we returned to Alexandra for the night.

2X Woods Christmas Vacation-Narnia, Lakes, Flowers, Mountains. The road trip is now real. Day 3

Today we left Christchurch and headed inland. Because New Zealand is the size of California, we will do 4-6 hours of driving a day, to see what we have included on our itinerary.

Our first stop of the day was actually recommended by our landlord. A place called Castle Hill, up in the foothills, not near much of anything.  If any of you have seen the movie, Narnia, this is the background for the final battle scenes in the first movie.  It was such a beautiful day. The area stunning. And typical New Zealand, you can walk all over it, no restrictions, and no fees.

Not sure what the weather would bring going up the canyon.

Lots of Woods Tshirts.

Even though the rocks are on a sheep station, people seem to respect that and stay on the paths just around the rocks.

Boys climbing to the highest rock (of course)

Reese found her own stage to perform on

I was Reese's chosen partner for this journey. Behind the rock was her own little "Heidi" valley, with flowers and grass. She didn't want to leave it. Even JoEllen couldn't find us here.

Sometimes princesses need to be carried.

Recognize this from the movie?

We made it to the top.

The whole gang.

We then headed toward Lake Tekapo, which is quite a beautiful lake. On the way there, we kept finding small clumps of Lupine in the fields going wild. We hit the jackpot at Lake Tekapo. We took a much needed break there, got in some rock skipping, toes in the water, then on down the road.

Lake Tekapo

Beautiful day here, clouds and rain on the other side.

Rare view of the red billed Arizona lazy lizard.

Historic chapel by the lake

Realizing that we really are here in such a beautiful spot.

Rock skipping contest. It was hard, no flat rocks.

Huge lupine fields here.

                                 

The next stop was Lake Pukaki. It is a long, narrow lake, actually most of it is a reservoir (with a dam), for power use.  Just past the north end of the lake is Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. 12,218 feet (3724 meters). It actually looked more impressive near the south end of the lake than up close, because we could get more of the lake, and low hills in the photos to show how high it really is.

At south end of Lake Pukaki. It was quite cool here. Mt Cook in background.

Mt. Cook

Mt. Cook

Mt. Cook, lake view

With a tourist stranded on the roadway.

Pastoral view of Mt. Cook

We still had a couple of hours to get to motel. We stopped in a small town called Twizel, and ate kebabs from a food truck. (it was even recommended on Trip Advisor)