January 18 - Day 10

We woke up to more cloudy cool weather. Today, we are walking the Hooker Trail walk by Mt Cook and we were hoping we would get to see the mountain but it doesn’t look likely. At least it is not raining! 

We had breakfast in the hotel and I stuck to yogurt and granola and I paid for an Americano. They have brewed coffee here and it is gross. Not willing to drink it if I have a choice. I did eat some sort of a custard tart too. I’m enjoying the sugar, no doubt about that. 

After breakfast, we loaded on to the bus and drove about an hour to the Hooker Track Trail. We will not be able to hike the six miles on this trail that was planned as it is closed half way up. It will be about a three mile hike. It is really windy and cold, temps in the 40’s. But we are dressed warm and using our rain jackets for windbreakers so it isn’t too bad. It is New Zealand beautiful but we are unable to see the mountains very much. The clouds are very low. As we hiked, we started to have occasional sun breaks with a little blue sky occasionally. I enjoyed it very much.

We finished that hike and then did the Kea Point track which was about another two miles. Mt Sefton emerged a bit from the clouds and we could actually see the top for a while. This mountain range is beautiful. After the hike, we went to the visitor center. There is so much about Mt. Cook and all the people who have attempted to hike this 12,000+ foot mountain. It is an incredible hike and many have died trying to conquer the mountain. You have to hike straight up glaciers. They had pictures all over and it is truly a hike to revere.

They had a beautiful window meant to view Mt. Cook but the mountain has not come out for us. We went over to the Hermitage Hotel after viewing the Visitor Center. Sat outside a while and I had another coffee. The sun is out and it feels so good. 

Back in the bus, we drove home along the shores of Lake Pukaki. It is so beautiful and the top of Mt. Cook peeked out for a few minutes!! Very cool. Lake Pukaki is such a surreal bluish green, it is hard to believe it is real.

Back at the motel, I decided laundry was a must. We had to go into town to the ATM to get some New Zealand cash in order to change it for New Zealand dollars to run the laundry machines here. Matt went to the lecture tonight on New Zealand history. I did laundry and joined for the last few minutes of the lecture. 

Dinner tonight was at the hotel again with the buffet. Pretty much the same thing as last night. Food was decent and I enjoyed the vegetables. 

Matt and I walked a bit after dinner. We’ve seen everything there is to see in this town, that’s for sure. We check out tomorrow and do a bike ride in the morning.

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