Tepako to Christchurch

 Now I have the long drive back to Christchurch.

Stopping for a visit to the facilities isn't always just a time waster. I wandered around Rakaia reading the historical signs.

Rakaia is known for it Salmon which were descended from Chinok Salmon and introduced into New Zealand from California.  Young salmon, called smolt are born in fresh water, and migrate to the salt water (sea) to grow up.  They only return to fresh water to spawn.

This was the bridge-keepers hut and jail.  What a combination job. The bridge spans the Rakaia River which is one of the widest braided rivers in the world.  This bridge is the longest one in New Zealand at 1750 m or just over a mile.

When I arrived in Christchurch, I had about an hour and a half of time to be a tourist before I needed to drive to my hotel, check in, and return the rental car.  I decided to go to the Botanical Gardens.  I was down to about an hour when I got to the gates.  It was free. That was a nice surprise.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The Earth laughs in flowers."

There was a long river running through the center with couples of all ages rowing.  How romantic.

So many incredible trees such as this, "Weeping Totara."

Look at this giant "Twisted Gum." It is well over 100 years old and is one of the biggest in New Zealand. The health of the tree was in decline because of all of the people walking around it so a walkway was built in hopes of the tree living another 100 years.

Another view of the Twisted Gum.  As I walked through this area of the gardens there was a constant chorus of treetop cicadas or Katy-dids as I grew up calling them. 

The real highlight was the rose garden.  The roses on the left are "Rosa Westerland," The roses on the left are "Rosa Meg."

These are "Rosa Storyteller," which made me think of my Cherokee 

Roundtable Writers group.  Hi guys!

A riotous cacophony of color met me at every turn.  

Another magnificent old tree, the Monterey Cyprus. - fabulous.

So many colors of hydrangeas.  I didn't even take photos of the blue ones because I have a yard full of them. Well, not now but later in the year. I barely scratched the surface of the gardens when I had to leave.  If you are ever in Christchurch, you must visit the Christchurch Botanical Gardens.  Amazing!

So sadly I fly out tomorrow.  That is a big if because I keep getting notices from American Airlines about a big ice storm in Dallas. They are encouraging people to change their flights. When I tried to reach someone, I couldn't get through and I had no luck on line.  I wasn't ready to change my flight but wanted some information. I fly from Christchurch (here) to Aukland to Dallas to Louisville. So, I guess there are worse places to be stuck.  LOL

New Zealand has been an awesome experience.  Just about evey inch is beautiful no matter which direction you gaze. Jaw-dropping! The people are so warm and friendly.  Although, one very friendly cashier at a gas station told me, "we have our arseholes too." It made me laugh but I never met them. I have never been to a cleaner country.  When I tell you I never saw one piece of litter, I am not exaggerating. The kiwis pay great homage to the Maoris and their legends. It is clear that the citizens here respect each other and their elected leaders.  I only saw 3 people smoking the whole time but I saw lots and lots of people of all ages active in the outdoors. It is not a perfect country.  Our air conditioning is way superior and I still hate two lane roads but over all it is a fabulous, God-fearing, modern country that I would love to come back to.

So until the next adventure - Bon Camino and God bless.

Tepako 2

Good morning. Out for another tramp up the mountain.

I have seen these coffee stat out in the middle of nowhere and in park parking lots. They pretty popular.

I loved these pickup truck pop-up tents.

Another one. This one must be the Cadillac of truck-bed tents.

It is a pretty tall mountain, and as you can see- very steep  Yesterday, I walked up the right side and down the left.  I reversed it today with some slight variations  I added some distance beause on both days, I walked from the villlage which adds about 3 miles Amazingly you can walk the same trail, and then when you walk in the opposite direction, you see totally different things.

Today was practically cloudless  so I could see the snow-covered mountains in the distance.  That is Mt. Cook - I think.

New Zealand is full of Maori Legends. According to New Zealander John Caswell, "One of the legends of Lake Tekapo is that it was dug out by explorer Rākaihautū with his digging stick called Tūwhakaroria. After arriving in Nelson, Rākaihautū split his people into two groups. Rākaihautū led his group down the middle of the South Island, digging the freshwater lakes of South Island as he went. His son, Rakihouia, led the other group down the east coast of the South Island."

Motuariki island (mentioned above) was originally visited by Maori people for special occaisions.  Tourists used to be able to visit the Island, but there was a fire in 2014 and it remains closed.

The chair inbetween the heart was turned around and the heart was decorated with flowers. It wasn't that way yesterday, so either there was a wedding earlier or there will be one later.  What a beautiful setting for a wedding except the nearest road was about a half mile away.  I can just imagine trying to walk there in a white wedding dress and heels through stick-tites and weeds.  Not to mention, the wind was very strong and my hair would have been standing on end.  Not even close to how happy my Mom would have been. Just kidding Mom. Oh, well what the heck - that is what hair spray is for. I would be a beautiful place for the photos.

Every turn on the trail was absolutely stunning.

Look how clear this water is.  Just gorgeous.

Sooooo, I finished my hike, and with my little house came free admission to the Tekapo Springs. I forgot to bring a swim suit but I read on-line that you could rent a swim suit. Not so sure about renting a swim suit?  But, I walked the 15-20 minutes to the entrance and the young girl at the desk suggested that I just wear what I had on.  She said, "We don't care as long as you wear clothes."  No chance of me not wearing clothes.  So I had on a pair of tight pull-on shorts and a tank top (full undies top and bottom)and I thought what the heck.  I tried the hot pool - ahhhhh - for my worn out muscles and then the warm pool and then the cool pool and back to the hot pool.  It was heaven. I should have thought this through earlier.  I didn't even have a towel to dry off.  I went to the showers and rinsed the clorine off, and tried to wring out my clothes. Ladies, did you know that whose tight pants/shorts become huge when they get wet? I didn't but I do now. So I have to take the walk back to my little house dripping wet, and tangled, but clean hair.  In that 15-20 minute dripping walk, people stepped off the walk-way to let me through. I have never felt so important.  I never said a word to anyone. I didn't want them to know I was American and possibly crazy.

After I dried off, I decided to treat my self to a good dinner at the Rakirui Restaurant purported to be farm to table and Tepako's top restaurant.  Of course, that was their ad. It didn't disappoint.

I started with the "bitter greens with champagne dressing", which turned out to be a salad of butter lettuce, fresh oranges, and various other vegetables.  I thought that it would surely be arugula (my favorite) but it wasn't. It was excellent even without arugula.

I then ordered the Piri-Piri chicken pizza which was described as having roasted peppers and a swirl of Piri-Piri sauce.  At my first bite, my tongue said, "call the fire department." But then my tongue was scorched and my lips went numb.  It is a good thing that I love fiery foots. Each bite just got better and better. It was close to the heat of a habanero (bonnet) pepper.  Definately hotter than a jalapeno.  The chef peeped around the corner, and when he saw that I was happy, he came out an talked with me.  Indian man (explains the heat).  I have half of the pizza left for lunch tomorrow or heck, maybe breakfast.  Start the day with a kick.

Sooooo - it is off to bed I go.  Tired and tummy happy. 

Sweet dream to you!

 

Tepako

Kia Ora!

Breakfast of Champions!  This is the best yogurt in the world.  Of course, it is that full-fat kind.  In the U S I have only had the non-fat/low-fat kind. Always counting those calories. What a difference. I added a little granola and some nuts, and what a yummy breakfast.

I am headed for the Mount John Route up the mountain.

Although this was on the hiking trail, the dedication was for someone who drowned in the lake.

Not a proper Camino, but I still said prayers along the way.  

Anything this beautiful has to be "to God's Glory."

The first European-style marker that I have seen on any route in New Zeland.

I wish I could send photos in 3-D.  These cliffs are as high as a football field is long.  Photos never do these hikes justice.

I took the longer, more challenging route up and thought I was at the top.  I was feeling pretty smug until I realized I had a lot more up to go. 

I was most surprised when I rounded the corner and saw the horses and the riders. 

Totally beautiful from the pseudo-top. 

I kept climbing, leaving the horses farther and farther away.

This line of evergreens across the lake looked like a wall from a distance.

The terrain got steeper and rockier as I climbed higher.  From a distance, I thought some thoughtful bureaucrat (Is there such a thing?) had provided a place to sit and catch my breath, but it was a way to get over the fence and keep on going skyward.

The observatory is at the top of the mountain.  When I got back to my little bungalow, I looked up fun facts from the New Zealand Trails Website.  Here is what I learned: 

"The University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory sits on top of Mount John. This world-renowned astronomical centre is home to six telescopes including the country’s largest. The area is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, which is the largest dark sky reserve in the world. If you want to see stars at their most potent, this is the place to see them.

The name Tekapo/Takapō comes from the Māori words taka (sleeping mat) and po (night)."  

There is a snack bar at the top.  Most people did not walk the 5+ miles up to get here.  There is a parking lot full of cars.

The view from the top.

Cute girls at the top.  The lake is 1029 meters lower than the top of the mountain.  That is more than a halfmile straight down. Whew!

Another view of the beautiful Lake Tepako from the top.

The tramp down was totally different. It had the most wonderful smell of evergreens. It was even steeper but blessedly shorter.

As I got to the center of the village, I saw these two young ladies earning some money with their horse and carriage. Nice touch to Tepako.

So I finally got my Ramen and I thought I was getting a vegetarian dish.  I always feel safe in an Asian restaurant with vegetarian.  Nope - don't know what the meat was (road kill?  jut kidding). I think it was pork.  It was good though. I also got some edamame. A little extra protein never hurts on a walk.

So until tomorrow, I bid you good night!