hanNZette
hanNZette
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First impression of the Southern Alps

Eldonita: 09.01.2017

Our journey through the South Island takes us in a zigzag course from the east to the west coast. Last time we showed you the inland in the north (the caves and the beautiful lakes), and this time we have already felt the first foothills of the Southern Alps.

The photos in this post come from the two marked locations on our way from the west coast to Christchurch:


+++++++++++ Arthur's Pass ++++++++++++++

We saw the first real mountains when crossing Arthur's Pass.

In the area there are many hiking trails and accordingly many tourists. Where there are many tourists, there are also cafes. And where there are tourists and food, there also seem to be Keas - quite wobbly, fat parrots that are famous in New Zealand for their intelligence:




It was too cold to sip our cocoa on the terrace, so we were spared by the Kea and its kleptomania. :)

For hiking, we decided to take the zig-zagging ascent to a ski slope to get a nice view of the surrounding mountains:



Now in summer there is obviously not enough snow for skiing. Too bad, otherwise we could have taken the lift up :D

But compared to Mount Doom, the approximately 2-hour climb was still a piece of cake!!


(We walked the Temple Basin Track)



The climb was relatively steep and dotted with rough stones.

During a little break, Anette unexpectedly took interesting close-up shots of the alpine moss and flowers:



The moss/grass here looks more like a magical world because of the small droplets:


Almost at the top!

We didn't expect to find a hut at the top, or rather three. They are probably inhabited and served during the ski season.







Unfortunately, the lift was still closed at the top, so we had to walk back down again :)


The physical activity was enough for us, and we could enjoy the rest of the mountains from the car...






In the evening, we stopped at a lake called Lake Pearson.



And as it slowly got dark (and quite windy and really cold!), ....


...Anette was able to fulfill her wish of photographing the Milky Way in front of New Zealand mountains:




Car from the back,

Car from the front :)


+++++++++++++ Castle Hill ++++++++++++++++

The next day, the only goal was to get to Christchurch and take a shower somewhere on the way :D

This is what the surrounding landscape looked like as we left the Southern Alps towards the east coast:



(Isn't our baby car photogenic?)

Driving out of the mountains, we passed a great landscape dominated by huge scattered rocks. We hadn't read or heard about it before and were accordingly positively surprised to see something worthwhile on our way!

This stone landscape is called Castle Hill:





Those flowers look good on him!
Unfortunately, these magnificent accessories attract annoying creatures...


Quickly run away and hide among the rocks.






As far as the eye can see: rocks, grass, rocks, grass, rocks...





Back at the parking lot.
We want to show you some pictures of the cool painted vans that drive around here:



Stylish, isn't it?

Further down the road, there was a small town that has the same name as the hometown of the cartoon characters 'The Simpsons': Springfield


There are many Springfields (also in the U.S.A., where the show comes from), but this Springfield has dared to set up a doughnut that looks just like the one in the TV series. Heheheheee


Next to it, there was of course something to eat. We had cake and cocoa.


And then we continued... driving again. Occasionally, there were such great little things to see from the road like this awesome blue river:



And with that, we leave you with sunny (but sometimes rainy!) greetings in the snow!


By the way, we are currently busy looking for work and trying to find something more 'sensible' than picking cherries. Let's see if it works. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

See you soon!!
HanNZette
Respondu (1)

Sven
Hey, ihr beiden Blumenkids, freut mich sehr eure Reise mitverfolgen zu können. Wenn ich mir ein Kompliment erlauben darf: das Foto mit eurem Van von vorne (aber auch von hinten) im Milchstraßenfenster ist grandios!!! Lasst euch weiterhin nett von Keas behacken und... vielleicht trefft ihr ja auch auf Joyvita -> Sie ist am dem 16.02.17 in NZ. Der kleine LöwenzahnSven