It's hard to believe I am saying this, but last weekend was our sixth weekend here in New Zealand! Each weekend seems to get better and better, it's crazy! We started this past weekend by driving to Aoraki, the village in New Zealand that is home to Mount Cook, on Friday night. A former teacher from the Terrace school now lives there and was able to hook us up with some great deals including our hostel for the night. It was a great little set up. It had two bunk beds and we had our own bathroom and mirrors (impressive compared to some of the hostels we have stayed in) for only $30.. not too shabby! There was also a little pub attached so we were able to have a couple of drinks and eat when we got there.
In the morning we were up bright and early for a glacier cruise. Once again we snagged a great deal because we are 'teachers!' Our tour group met at a hotel where we took a fifteen minute bus ride and then walked twenty minutes before getting onto a small speed boat. We spent about an hour on the lake and got to see New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman, and many of the icebergs that have broken off of it. It was so amazing! I have always pictured icebergs as just looking like big pyramids sticking out of the water but each one was a different shape and different colours. They all looked like huge masses built out of crystals, they were absolutely breathtaking! It was really interesting to learn that every few weeks the glaciers rotate or flip over. You can tell how long it's been since the last time it flipped by the color. If it is really blue it has just flipped and the dirty brown ones haven't flipped for a few weeks and will probably flip soon. So not only was our little adventure tons of fun, but also educational! :)
After our glacier cruise we decided to go for a 'wee' hike to Hooker Valley to see another one of New Zealand's fine glaciers! The trail we took had been closed lately and had just opened up on Saturday. It was the most beautiful trail I have ever walked! There were two swing bridges, a board walk, and tons of rocks to climb! Since we were only anticipating an hour walk (we were told the trail was still closed past the first swing bridge) we weren't ready with enough water. Luckily for us, in New Zealand it is kosher to to drink from most streams. So about an hour in we found a good place to fill up! We kept trekking on and finally made it to a beautiful lake that ended with another glacier. I should also mention how gorgeous the lakes are because of their colour. They are the most gorgeous pale blue colour due to glacier flour. It mixes with water from the streams where the heavier particles sink to the bottom of the lake. Then all the colours of the rainbow are absorbed except blue which then reflects off which makes for a beautiful blue lake! After spending some time admiring the lake we made our way back to the car, about an hour and a half walk, and headed back to Alexandra.
We haven't planked for a while, so we planked the second swing bridge.. SCARY!
How amazing is this??
Sunday morning we woke up early and got all dolled up for the Cromwell horse races. We went with a couple of guys from Alex that we know. We took a bus over and set up a little camp and just sat and watched the races all day. Ellen and Alex bet through out the day and had a few small wins but I was too chicken, so I just sat and enjoyed the day in the sun. It was so much fun, until I woke up Monday morning with sun-burnt lips and a sun-burnt forehead!
Over all it was another truly amazing, fabulous weekend! I feel like I am just babbling as I try to type in all the details of my weekend. My trip has honestly been something that I can't describe with words. Everything about it has been amazing and so hard to type into a blog! Coming home will be great in the sense that I get to see so many people I miss, but it will be truly be a sad day leaving such an amazing country!
Until my next adventure, take care!
Michelle
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