18/03/2018 - Mount Cook

Goodbye Wanaka - on the day of departure it was already clear, we will come back. So this farewell will not be eternal.

For the day of departure, we saved a last excursion destination in Wanaka. We got discounted tickets for the 'Puzzling World'. In this world everything revolves around illusions, puzzles and mental agility. At the beginning, you enter a vestibule where lots of puzzle tasks are spread out on various tables. But first, we picked up our admission stamp for the paid part and started exploring. After our heads were twisted by 3D holograms at the beginning, things got really weird. Because the next part of the museum led through the 'Tilted House'. The tilted room offered different stations where the understanding of true horizontal was lost. In addition, the sense of balance had a lot to do. The felt and seen made us truly crazy. So the golf ball didn't roll down the table, even though it was leaning?!
When the ground under our feet was straight again, we visited the 'Hall of following faces'. 168 famous faces looked at us. They followed our every step. No matter where we went, the looks stuck to us. Creepy.
We saved the highlight of the Puzzling World for last. Because here you will find the world's first '3D Maze'! A labyrinth that not only offers ordinary corridors but also some bridges that you have to cross to reach your goal. This not only makes it much more fun but also insane. ;)
After a few final puzzle tasks in the vestibule, we started the engine and drove inland. The highway led us past high mountains and green valleys. After about 90 minutes, we reached the first overnight destination. 'Twizel' is a small village that is perfect as a starting point for various excursions in the region. For example, it is not far from New Zealand's highest mountain - 'Mount Cook'.
On the day of arrival, we had beautiful weather. Therefore, we went out of the town towards Mt Cook. First, we reached 'Lake Pukaki'. The lake has an incredible, almost unreal color - a beautiful, vibrant turquoise. We continued along State Highway 80. This is definitely one of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand for us. We had breathtaking views of the majestic mountain time and time again.
At 'Peters Lookout', we were able to enjoy the scenery in peace. Not a single cloud in the sky and a clear view of the mountain, the lake, and everything around it was just phenomenal. Hardly a word can describe the feeling we felt on the spot. - We were happy.
As dusk set in, we drove the same route back to Twizel.

Already the next morning, we left the little village of Twizel to continue driving north. This time, at the beginning of the drive, we made a stop at the information center on the shores of Lake Pukaki. Besides various flyers and souvenirs, you can get fresh salmon from the highest salmon farm in all of New Zealand. The fish are kept in river water and sold for lots of money. We treated ourselves to 100g of sashimi for $10. Armed with this delicacy, we again took the State Highway 80 towards Mount Cook. Our next campsite was halfway there. So we first headed there to check in. After arriving, we enjoyed the salmon - or rather, Tobi did, because the good fish unfortunately did not meet my taste.
Unfortunately, the weather deteriorated increasingly and New Zealand's highest mountain with 3,724m disappeared behind low-hanging clouds. Therefore, we used the time to charge our electronics for the next few days. But by 5:00 PM, all the clouds had disappeared. So we set off for a short hike. State Highway 80 leads to 'Mount Cook Village'. From here, various hiking trails start. That evening, we chose the most popular and easiest route. The 'Hooker Valley Track' is well-developed, relatively flat, and leads to a glacier lake behind which the 'Aoraki' (as the Maori call it) builds up. That evening, we walked the first half of the path and watched the last rays of sunshine hit the mountaintop. When the sun was no longer visible, we started our way back home and returned to the campsite in complete darkness.

After the night was clear and we were almost frozen, the next morning greeted us with radiant sunshine. From the window, we could clearly see the top of Mount Cook. This is an absolute rarity. Because most of the time, it is hidden in clouds. But when the peak is visible, it towers above everything and can be seen from different angles. Because no nearby mountain even comes close to its height.
After a hearty breakfast, we drove the 20-minute way back to Mount Cook Village. We started directly with the first hike. From the town center, the 'Red Tarns Track' leads to a nearby, smaller mountain within an hour. Countless stairs lead to a viewpoint from which you have a beautiful view of the small town and the surroundings. We took a seat on a bench and enjoyed the view. When the strength returned after the strenuous climb, we explored the area on the mountain. There, we discovered a small lake. Its surface was so smooth that the mountains reflected wonderfully in it. So we took fabulous pictures of ourselves and 'Mount Sefton'. Because this one is at least half as beautiful as Cook. ;)
Then we began the descent, and the next hike awaited us. Although my big toe was still hurting from the past few days, we tackled the 'Hooker Valley Track' again. The first part of the three-hour circuit was already familiar to us. The second half was just as exciting. It led over several suspension bridges and always along a river. Since the weather was fantastic, the track was well filled. After an hour and a half and numerous photo breaks, we arrived at the foot of Mount Cook. We were greeted by a grayish glacier lake. We were quite amazed when we saw an ice floe swimming in it.
Overall, the scenery was simply impressive. Surrounded by high snow-covered mountains, a lake radiating incredible coldness, and deep silence.
In addition to the glacier lake, the rest of the surroundings also reminded us more of a lunar landscape. Gray mountains, gray stones, gray lake - and yet it looked fantastic with the high white mountain peaks.
After a longer break and a snack, we packed everything together. On the way back, we made a few quick stops here and there and reached the parking lot after 90 minutes.
Quickly refilling the water bottle with glacier water using the dispenser, we headed back to the campsite to put our feet up.