Day 31 Flight Grand Traverse and Lake Tekapo

Wake up very early and drive to Lake Tekapo Airport. The check-in only takes a minute, but it's organized just like a major airport. The pilot personally provides safety information and gives us tips for photography. He personally assigns us to our seats. He's about 35 years old and really sharp. He checks everything very carefully, like all the other pilots, and does a double check of one of the fuel switches with a technician because it seemed odd to him. Very professional and likable!" + "

Then he gives the signal to start and we roll onto the runway. Shortly after, we take off. I've flown in helicopters or large planes many times in my life. We're flying in a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan - Turbo Prop with a maximum of 13 passengers. There are seven of us on board, and this is one of the most spectacular flights over the New Zealand Southern Alps! First, we fly over the azure blue Lake Tekapo, then to huge sheep farms, and then into the vast river valleys of the glacier lakes. I've never seen anything like this before! Pilot Leon had told me not to take too many photos, but to enjoy the flight, because the images in your mind are unforgettable anyway. He's been doing this job for 7 years, man, he must have storage space in his head 😀
But he's right, I can't get some of the images of the abnormal beauty out of my head. Almost everyone recommended a helicopter flight or going to the glacier. Since I've already done all of that extensively, it would have been a bit boring for me. But this scenic flight, wow, it's absolutely amazing! I did a lot of research to find this authentic experience." + "

We fly over the longest glacier in the world to the West Coast, and I get to see the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers from above again. The view over the entire Alps today is crystal clear, with a low layer of clouds hanging in the valleys on the west side. The timing couldn't be better." + "

Then we head to Mount Cook National Park and do a sensational tight loop around the summit, which provides a fantastic view of the very steep glaciers. The journey continues over several glaciated peaks back towards Lake Tekapo." + "

After the flight, I drive to Lake Tekapo to have my morning coffee. Then a short sightseeing trip to the church of the good shepherd and then on to a picnic spot by the lake. There are lupines growing there and you have a fantastic view of the entire lake, so of course there are also numerous Chinese people there taking photos. I find them very likable because I also really like the lupines, even though they grow like weeds on every corner here 😉." + "

During the flight, I noticed a bay by the lake that can be reached by camper van. To get there, I drive past Mt. John. However, I ignore the observatory, the road up to the Starlight Café costs 8 NZD, and I already had coffee. I had already heard from campers that it's pretty boring and expensive, even the evening tours. Sure, it's very interesting for some people, but I've already studied the basics of astronomy enough in the astronomy club at my high school. And in the evening, they don't let you go up just to look at the stars yourself, haha." + "

The next bay is more interesting anyway, the water is Caribbean blue, incredibly beautiful. And there are only three people in total. In the afternoon, I drive to the Tasman Valley and do three walks there. One of them goes to the lookout point of the Tasman Glacier Lake. The water is grayish blue and the view extends all the way to the end of the Tasman Glacier. A signboard points out the rapid retreat of the glacier, which is clearly visible in the picture." + "

The evening light is fantastic and the afternoon sun has provided a lot of energy. But always with SPF 50+ sunscreen and a hat on! The UV radiation here is incredibly strong." + "

After sunset, I go to a photo spot that has been swirling around in my head for months. But that's only possible when it's really quiet, so after sunset. The photo is successful and I continue on to the White Horse Hill Campground. I'm greeted there by my American friends who advise me against the Mueller Hut for various reasons. In the days before, we had already realized that there are some things you shouldn't do because they're not good for you. I'm very grateful for the advice. Plus, it gives me some breathing room in my tight schedule for tomorrow, and I don't have to wake up at 3 am but can instead enjoy the fantastic starry sky a little longer." + "