February 4 (Tuesday) Takapo → Mt. Cook

 

After having breakfast at YHA on the shore of Tekapo Lake, we took a walk around the lake and walked to "The Church of the Good Shepherd", but the wind was so strong, therefore I drove by car.

As expected, many people visited it because it was a famous tourist spot. By the way, shooting is prohibited inside.

We visited "DARK SKY PROJECT" near YHA (Tekapo) because the weather was bad.

There was a large observatory, where various night starry sky tours were held, but since it is daytime, I booked a tour about the constellations indoors and Maori ($ 33.75 for a discount).

I had time while the Japanese tour guide came, so I finished lunch at a eating space of the supermarket and returned to "DARK SKY PROJECT".

Even so, the distance from the supermarket is about one block.

A Japanese person, Mr. Ozawa, guided me.

I thought it was good to join the tour with a very interesting explanation for 45 minutes.

The facility was completed in the summer of 2019, but the tour to see the starry sky at the observatory is still delayed.

I want to believe that it will be completed in 2020.

DARK SKY PROJECT ➡ https://www.darkskyproject.co.nz/

He came here about 30 years ago and seemed to be settled by the charm of Tekapo

 

After the tour, I headed to Mount John about 20min from Tekapo by car, which is famous for observing the starry sky and observatories. However, it is possible to walk from Tekapo.

I had to arrive at the toll booth at the foot of the mountain and pay the entrance fee, but when I think about it, I hadn't exchanged money in New Zealand and had no money at all.

About payment When I went to the charge window in a hut with no surroundings,

I was surprised that credit payment was there.

I paid $ 8 with a card and safely climbed the mountain trail leading to the summit.

 

When I arrived at the parking lot at the top of the mountain, the sky was cloudy and light raining. Sure enough, I couldn't see much from the top of the mountain except the town of Tekapo. It was cold, so I decided to go into coffee-shop "Astro Café", which was there, and drink Flat White.

There is a terrace, and the outside of the glass window is cold, the room is warm, and the body is warmed with coffee.

 

Head to Mt. Cook, the next accommodation.

It rained on the way and made me worried about tomorrow's hike to Mt. Cook.

I bought meal for supper and breakfast at a supermarket on the way and arrived at YHA (Mt. Cook), but it was raining so much that I didn't want to unload my luggage.

 

• Good point② ➡In NZ, I could spend without exchanging money.
                            Don't need a tip, and even buy stamps with a credit card❢
                            (I didn't exchange any money on this trip)

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February 5 (Wednesday)  Mt.Cook

 

The near mountains were covered with fog in the morning, but it gradually cleared up.

The weather in NZ seems to be heavy.

After breakfast, I visited Tasman Lake and then headed to the Hooker Valley Track parking lot.

There was no space for many cars to park there.

The heavy rain on the previous day had closed the road to Milford Sound (which I had planned to visit at a later date), so I think people of the same mind would visit Mt. Cook.

 

I walked to Hooker Lake, where Mt. Cook is just 1.5 hours away from the parking lot, but the hiking course wasn't easy to walk around.

 

I went over three suspension bridges to Hooker Lake, but I was a little nervous because I was afraid of heights.

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Due to the heavy rain the day before, the river was a
suspension bridge that rattled and mud flowed and
shook slightly.

There was a limit of 20 people on the suspension
bridge, but I felt that there were more people coming
and going.

There was a magnificent view, but after not returning
too long, I returned to Mt. Cook YHA.

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• Note⑧ ➡Weather in NZ can change easily, so prepare rain gear❢

 

February 6 (Thursday) Mt. Cook→Queenstown

We headed to Queenstown, a city worthy of a queen, via the summer resort of Lake Wanaka and the old town of Arrowtown.

 

Wanaka feels like a summer resort and interacts with the calm town. However, many tourists were there.

I found out later that there is a willow tree growing in the lake called "That Wanaka Tree" which is famous in this lake.

 

Arrowtown used to be a gold mine and was an old town.

There were many tourists there as well, so I only passed through the main street.

 

After arriving at YHA (Lake Front Queenstown), I took a walk to the downtown of Queenstown.

The famous Fergburger in Queenstown was full and I couldn't afford to buy them side by side (since I was worried about the new coronavirus when I visited).

Another famous online search?

I had lunch at a fry and chips shop.

There are many people, and two people are enough for a Japanese person.

Alternatively, one person can use it for children.

We had lunch at another famous fly-and-chips place through an online search.

The quantity is large and two servings are enough for a Japanese person.

Or, if you're alone, it's OK for kids.

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( To be continued… )

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