Another day over and today just starting
Yesterday, Methven to Mt Cook. On one hand a straight forward route but we veered off for a farm stop on the south side of Ashburton and a beautiful lunch put on by the hostess. A 1,000 acre farm, mainly cropping with about 350 acres as dairy farm.
Lunch was superb and my group all drank to much wine so a few headaches developed as we headed for Mt Cook plus I needed allow a couple more toilet stops. Prior Tekapo I made sure using the microphone all were once again awake so they were able to be ready for the stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Many photographs taken.
The day which started misty was now stunning to say the least and if you believe the temperature gauge on the bus it had now reached 26 degrees outside.
On to Pukaki where most took the opportunity to visit the salmon shop and grab an appetiser to eat prior dinner. Following that the Jasmine farm. Only 3 weeks ago it had been harvested when I went to visit, but on this occasion there were new heads on the plants. A beautiful fragrance as we exited the bus but the downside was the dust from vehicles coming and going.
On to Peter’s Lookout on the Mt Cook road. I gave them all long enough time to walk to the lake. As for me, a few quick pics and back in the air conditioning of the bus.
One more stop on the road for photography prior arrival at the Hermitage Hotel.
Over dinner a lot of discussion re our lunch stop but main focus was on the view of Mt Cook out the Hermitage windows.
Today for most it’s the Glacier Explorer trip. A close up experience with the glacier and for a few, a helicopter trip landing on the glacier.
For me its catch up time on admin before we head for Queenstown about 11am this morning. Tomorrow their longest day of the trip. Milford Sounds. A very long day for me in the drives seat.
Peter and Xiaoli Tours 