After a bright and early start, it was time to make our way to my first stop with Stray; Mount Cook. My first driver was Chase, a bubbly outgoing character who made the effort to welcome me onto her bus. Every morning, Chase would play the same song "Don't forget your roots". To her it was offering a message to her passengers reminding them that no matter where they are in the world, they shouldn't forget where they came from nor their family.
We headed over the Lindis Pass through to the Mackenzie country past the west coast of Lake Pukaki; a stunning turquoise lake. Why is it that colour? Apparently it's due to the finely ground rock from the glaciers fed from the Southern Alpes. It's obvious why this place is famous for its tussock covered hills and breathtaking scenery. Unfortunately for us, the weather took a turn for the worse which meant it was too wet and wild to head out for a hike around Aoraki (Mount Cook), do we had the option of a free sauna or a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary museum. At $20 I think it's pretty overpriced so I opted for the former.
The next morning was cold but clear allowing us to see New Zealand's highest mountain which as named after Captain James Cook who first to set foot on NZ soil on his epic voyage in 1768. We head towards Rangitata via scenic Lake Tekapo and Church of The Good Shepherd, more commonly known as the church with a view! And boy did it have a view!
That afternoon, we stopped for lunch in the small town of Geraldine, famous for housing the largest jumper in the world! As per our itinerary, we were meant to head for Rangitata but due to the size of our bus, they didn't have enough room for us. Thankfully this proved to be a god send as were treated to a night of luxury in nearby Methven - double beds, ensuites, tv/DVD players in our room and towels. A rare treat for a backpacker!
Next stop: Wellington via Kaikoura
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