Haast Pass, Mt. Cook, and The New Zealand Experience

Our journey continued with the passage from Haast to Mt. Cook via Wanaka (from the West Coast through the Alps and into the central part of the S. Island) was outstanding. I grew up in the mountains and thus am used to seeing immaculate snow capped peaks, but never like this-- even I was astonished. Endless ranges of mountains freshly dusted with snow surrounded us as we traveled through the deep valleys and along cold crystal clear rivers during 8 consecutive hours of driving. We were belittled not only by the size of these mountains, but by their extravagance as each of them had a different combination of foilage, snow, and rock. We were drunk with happiness and nothing could have made a long drive easier.

(Haast Pass)

After leaving the coastline, the scenery changed but still retained its deep beauty. On Lindis pass, the connection between Wanaka and Twizel, we witnessed a floral landscape like none other. Being springtime here, many NZ wildflowers are in bloom and this area was dominated by alpine lupines. I've seen these in the states, but these were nothing like home. Not only were they gigantic in size, but they existed in all different hues of yellow, blue, purple, lavender, magenta, and white. The air was heavy with sweet fragrance as we photographed the endless colorful carpets of lupine. I was again in a dreamworld and frolicked in this interactive 3-D Monet painting. The pictures cannot describe the experience of seeing these infinite fields of lupines, I'd liken it to a place where the Easter bunny would live...under the willows next to the river in fields of colorful flowers.

(The Amazing Lupine Valley)

Our legendary drive terminated in the large valley of Twizel, home of the last battle scene of Lord of the Rings, Return of the King (Kingdom of Rohan). The next morning we drove to the base of Mt. Cook, the highest peak in NZ at around 3900 meters (~12,000 ft). This sharp faced tooth and the mountains around it were not suprisingly fused with glaciers and fresh snow, creating a true alpine feel.

We originally planned to hike the Mueller Track, one of NZ's great walks, but had to replan since the route had several snow avalanches due to the recent snowfall and current sunny conditions. Instead, we hiked up to Ball Pass alongside the Tasman glacier, the largest glacier in NZ at 28 km (17 mi.) long and 90 m deep (~300 ft). The glacier is rapidly receding and covered in rock, creating a landscape that looked like something from Mars: dark brown ice bergs floating in a chocolate colored lake. We spent the night nestled between our beloved mountain peaks in a small hut with three other new friends, people from Germany, Italy and the US.

(Mt. Cook and Lake Pukaki)

(Mt. Cook on far right, and surrounding mtns)

(Tasman Glacier, left, and home sweet home, Ball shelter, right)

I still cannot believe that one place on planet Earth can have so many naturally beautiful things. I often find it hard to accurately describe my feelings here without sounding trite and repetitive. Nevertheless, somehow I still find peace in communicating how moving these sights have been for me.

Because of the deep beauty and unspoiled nature of New Zealand, I have had some rich experiences. In several of them, the splendor of the surroundings has been so epic that time seemed to slow, and everything happened in slow motion, much like a dream. Surprisingly, in this dreamy trance, I have felt incredibly alive, alert, and inspired.

For me, this South Island is a dreamland. When you think it just can’t get any more spectacular, it does. You see a beautiful lake and mountain range and think what could be more beautiful. Then you turn around and there is a beautiful waterfall cutting through another mountain range behind you.