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Mount Cook
We booked the campsite for two days.
So this morning we take our time ... We are in front of the glacier and we do not tire of admiring it
It’s very nice and there are fewer people than yesterday.
We have lunch in one of the few restaurants in the village and then return to the campsite to take our cameras for our afternoon hike.
We choose the path to " Kea Point ".
This short hike brings you closer to the moraine of the Mueller glacier. It crosses the subalpine vegetation zone characterized by tall grass and brush
On arrival we overlook the Hooker valley and its lake at the foot of Mount Sefton and Footstool with in the background Mount Cook.
Back to the campsite for another beautiful evening.
Mount Cook
Mount Cook or 'Aoraki en Maori is the highest peak in New Zealand with its 3724 meters.
The name “Cook” of the mount was given by the English Crown in honour of the navigator James Cook, who had been to New Zealand on numerous trips around the world.
Aoraki/Mount Cook area is ideal for hiking. Indeed, the breathtaking landscapes and the many hiking trails reserve us nice surprises.
We arrive in the late morning in the already crowded village. The access roads are filled on each side by a large queue of cars and campers.
We choose a place in the campsite that we have booked. It is a campsite managed by the "DOC" or the Ministry of Conservation of Natural and Historical Heritage.
We have taken a pass for one month which gives us access to its campsites for free.
The comfort is identical to that of the "Free camping" with in addition a common kitchen and sinks.
After lunch and a short break, we leave on the trail " Hooker Valley Track "
This 10 km hike passes through the two lakes of Mueller and Hooker before ending up on a glacier nestled at the foot of " Mount Cook". The ease of access to the spot and the possibility to see Aoraki up close makes it one of the most popular hikes in the country, for better or worse...
It is a parade of tourists without interruption throughout the day that goes up or down ... Fortunately we left in the middle of the afternoon, there are few people.
The three hours of walking are rewarded by the indescribable beauty of the place.
Beautiful evening at the foot of these glaciers.
Alexandrina Lake
As soon as we wake up, we must prepare for the road.
* Undoing the bed
* Put the stuff back in storage (actually on the bed)
* Prepare breakfast in the mini kitchen
* Take a shower in a mini bathroom
* Prepare the campervan for the road
All this changes us from our camper ... We must adapt well!
We are heading to the " Lake Alexandrina "
On our way we pass by the "Lake Tekapo", a must-see place of a road trip.
Indeed the landscapes offered by this place with its beautiful lake surrounded by mountains are sublime.
It comes from the melting of upstream glaciers that are the origin of the blue/ turquoise color so particular lakes in the region. Indeed, by sliding on the rocks, glaciers cause a kind of «dust» rock that, mixed with water, gives it this color.
We visit the "Church of the good Shepard" the most famous church in New Zealand built in 1935.
We arrive at our bivouac around noon. It is a campsite managed by an independent who offers, for a small fee, the same service as the "Free Camping" with a shared kitchen.
There is no booking option. This is the "First Come" system. Payment is made in cash to be put in a dedicated envelope.
We have already seen this system in the United States.
Once settled in, we hike around the lake and spend the rest of the day in the sun reading and preparing the rest of the program.
Tekapo Lake
It is over 2:00 when we start ...
Our first stop is for refuelling ... We must fill up completely ... Fortunately, supermarkets here are as well stocked as ours.
We travel 250 km to reach the drop point that we have chosen.
The roads are of good quality and directions very well indicated ... This makes a change with Central and South America!
In New Zealand, camping is prohibited... But being the country of the campsite, many villages or cities have one or more "campground" paid or free or "Dump station" (free service area).
Two specialized and well-done applications help us to plan our steps.
On the road we meet a lot of (real) motorhomes, campervans or cars fitted for camping.
Our first bivouac is a " Free Camping " it’s just a lot with a sanitary block.
We spend the evening on board organizing:
* storing our clothes in a safe
* storage of suitcases, tables, chairs, duvets and pillows on the bed above our heads for the day
* storage of victuals in the small boxes on the left and right
* control of the dashboard managing electricity (lights, water pump, toilet and usb socket)
* cooking in a small space
* Get organized for the night ... make bed and store
Our first night is going great.
Pick up of our campervan
It’s the D day: We get our campervan that we rented for 63 days.
Having an appointment at 8:30 this morning, we get up early to pack our bags again, have lunch quietly and take an Uber.
We are not the first, but quickly we are taken care of.
We fill out the various documents for the vehicle pick-up and wait for the vehicle to leave the garage.
After a few moments, we are informed that it is not ready. Our rental being long enough the checks are more complete!!! We must wait untill noon.
In the meantime, they lend us a vehicle.
We are upset because we do not understand why our campervan is not ready although we paid the balance of the rental a month ago.
We take the car to the city and more precisely to the " Botanical Garden ".
This garden occupies a part of the "Hagley park" on 30 hectares. We take the botanical trails where flowerbeds of all colors illuminate the course.
At 11:30 we got a phone call to let us know that the campervan is ready.
We immediately return to the renter ...
To quickly summarize the rest, we are received by an employee who knows nothing about getting started. We are obliged to ask questions and claim contract utensils ... Fortunately, the world of motorhomes is not unknown to us!
In addition, the windscreen has an impact and has to be changed because this is punishable by a fine!
Finally, we were very surprised by this campervan; we thought it was bigger and less flashy .
..
Our friends from New Zealand name it " Kermit the frog " for us we name it " Cetelem " !!!
ROAD BOOK 200
MAVROS ODYSSEE
