NZ Day 1 Journal (11/9/16): Clara and I are visiting New Zealand’s South Island for the first time! After flying into Christchurch, renting our car, and learning as quickly as possible to drive on the wrong side of the road, we were off into the beautiful Mackenzie Basin to our first stop: Lake Tekapo…
Clara enjoying Lake Tekapo’s south bank amidst the early flowering lupines and poppies. In another month, this entire region will be awash in lupines of all colors.
We also explored the west coast of Lake Tekapo, driving as far as we could down rural country farm roads and admiring the bizarrely blue water.
A highlight for us was seeing the many, many fields of sheep and baby lambs. The west coast is very remote, and these babies weren’t accustomed to seeing cars drive by so they were a bit nervous.
More happy sheep, this time far up the east coast of Lake Tekapo. The juxtaposition of the bright sandstone cliffs and the azure waters is striking.
The east coast of Lake Tekapo is remote and wild. If you have the time to take the long dirt road through fields of sheep and flowers, the rewards are breathtaking views and the bluest water you’ll ever see.
Clara and I took the long way up, hiking from the southern shore of Lake Tekapo to the top of Mount John, home of the Mount John Observatory. The view from the top is insane, and we couldn’t be more happy to be in New Zealand!