Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park NZ

Aoraki/Mount Cook, the tallest peak (3724m) in Australasia was another must-see. However, the weather wasn't cooperating. Day after day of low cloud and rain were the norm. We'd been skirting around the area hoping for a sunny day. Suddenly, one came up and we made a beeline for it. Us and what seemed like every other tourist for hundreds of miles around arrived en masse. It was a glorious day, perfect for being in the mountains.

We quickly set up camp in the National Park campground at the base of the mountain and headed off on the three hour Hooker Valley Track which would take us to Hooker Lake at the base of the mountain. On the way there, we had to cross three suspension bridges.

Once we reached the lake, there was an ice face and even an iceberg. Old and worn, but, a surprising sight nonetheless.

Lots of snow on top as well. The cracks along the top of the outcroppings look rather ominous.

There were flowers along the path.

It was a nice day out and we're glad we went, but, it was definitely marred by the crowds of people. It was single-file only along the track both ways and we often found ourselves having to dodge very loud groups of people, or, those with their heads-down looking at phone screens. Really, why bother?

Back at the village, there is a hotel, "the Hermitage" and the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, outside of which stands this statue of Hillary.

There were also birds! These pretty little creatures were flitting about the bushes.

Leaving the next day, the weather was back to its miserable self, but, it didn't completely obscure views of the "Southern Alps" which we continued to enjoy for a long way.