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!