Time to pull on those boots

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So after my time in christchurch i packed up from nicole's house and walked the couple of miles to catch my bus all along the way realizing i have way too much stuff. sweating and exhausted at 8am i boarded the bus and battled every urge to fall into sleep for fear i might miss some fantastic view. and let me say that i would have. i may have snuck in 20 minutes of head-bobbing through some farmland and missed out on the thousands of stupidly grinning sheep, but i woke up in time to catch the views heading into Lake Tekapo, my next stop. A small little town (i must get used to the fact that every town in new zealand is a bit smaller than one might expect...you may read Tekapo has a population of 315 but it doesn't strike you until you arrive and see the "town" is actually one street about 50 yards long). But this never matters because what you come for in new zealand is the natural environment...the clear, still, blue-green lake calmly leading up and preparing your eyes for the distant massive rows of mountains, some still dipped in snow at the peaks. and smaller peaks surround that give you that encompassed feeling as you look out. as multiple buses stopped to dump tourists i hopped out of the town and over to my hostel which sits perfectly on the edge of the lake with a view that both entices you to come explore and at the same time sit in one of their comfy couch chairs to look out and do absolutely nothing except calmly admire the wondrous view. which really is quite a bit to do because you keep thinking "wooow...is it real?" and you want to make sure you don't take it for granted and remind yourself..."you don't see that every day! appreciate, appreciate!" Because the days here are so long, i was able to settle in, eat lunch, appreciate views and finally decide i'd like to head out on a hike up the nearest mountain called mt. john. Sun was still shining brightly as i headed out...and soon on i found a hiking partner, another woman from san francisco who had decided with her husband to both quit their jobs and travel for the next 6 months. we talked all about the unfortunate result of our pressured american lifestyle that often denies youngsters the push to go and travel...to take time off and not feel guilty or wasting precious time when jobs could be at hand...i need to start climbing to the top as soon as i can! was nice chatting and reaffirmed my passionate belief in travel to educate in a way that a college degree just can't provide. ah...but the hike was again incredible...a good steep push to the top and all along the way rewarded with views down into the lake and 3 sides of us framed by snow-capped mountain ranges, and sparkling waters below. no wonder people rave about this country! it seems that no matter where i go i get views only seen in photographic magazines! The next day i went out on another little excursion and saw new views in the other direction opposite the lake...again...impressive. the sun was scorching down, but at dark (about 11pm) the stars shone so brightly in the night sky. what a place. Time to hop on the bus again! And no naps allowed this time. We drove away from Lake Tekapo and curved around another perhaps even more specularly blue: lake pukaiki. and in the distance behind was Mt Cook/Mt Aoraki (it's mauri name) in all it's glory. what a view! and the day was just perfect...so clear...this is when you wish you had a car to stop and take as many photos as possible. but as we swerved around i realized i had luckily chosen the right side of the bus as others were clambering over each other to try and snap one to send home. i assisted a few people, sparing them the gymnastics, and they happily accepted a stranger using such a tourist-treasured appliance. and because this was our destination (mt. cook village) we swerved right along the lake following it through to the mountain valley and closer to the craggy peaks...it was a game of...how many photos can i take before i start to look crazy (hmmm...with this group? thousands). but there were some people snoozing away! i was actually tempted to wake them up and say "umm...excuse me. incredible, to-die-for, picture-perfect, kodak-moment views right out your window! this isn't a slide show...waaaaaaaaaaake up!" maybe they wanted to be surprised. But anyway i refrained...their loss. and i did want to stay on the bus...would be a long walk yet. but you do often see people biking along the roads...like hardcore this is their only mode of transport, biking. they have packs slung over the back and front and pedalling harder than i can imagine....so hard core. but that seems like an incredible way to see the country. maybe next time? any takers? So...mt cook village is hardly even that. it should just be called mt. cook and a couple of places to stay. there used to only be one sole swanky 5-star accommodation but the monopoly has sort of been eliminated by a few others...yay for a hostel! Traveller woes: Being a mere “village” in the middle of mountains there is of course no where to really buy food. Some basics sure….but fresh fruit, vegetables? I don’t think so. I rationed my apples like they were the last pieces of fruit I’d ever eat and realized to my dismay that I had not stocked up on veggies. i have never craved something green with so much passion in all my life. I was thinking about staying longer but I couldn’t fathom another veggieless day. i overheard one woman say to another, "would you like this broccoli? we're leaving and i don't want it to go to waste." even before the other woman could answer i practically leapt over the counter and around the corner to answer "me?? yes!!" luckily...the woman said "no thanks" and then i did actually leap. i htink with a little too much enthusiam for a vegetable because she looked a bit taken aback...and quickly handed it over. i explained my situation...she understaood. back to more exciting things i continued on my hiking streak and headed out for a little walk after that beautiful drive. i'd seen it from behind the bus window but now i needed to experience it while on my feet and breakin a sweat...definitely the better option of course. and because the days here are so long you have until about 9:30 before it gets to twilight. great for travel as you have a full day to get to your destination and still feel like not a moment could have passed since you rolled out of bed that morning. of course now you are probably more conscious and energized to explore! right. so i went off in search of the glacial lake that comes off of Mt. Cook...and what a sight that mountain was now that i was right beneath it. wow.the next 2 days i also walked, hiked, scrambled and tripped up and over rocks, boulders, roots and steps all around Mt Cook national park. and may i say...it was just stunning. You know it’s a good hike when you must concentrate on every step and try not to get distracted by the view. And that view will stop you in your tracks…and not just because your heart is pounding and legs crying. three perfect days....sun glowing down onto the massive peaks and down into the valley. of course this did make for some harsh, scorching sun rays on your back, but slap on that bush hat and we're off! (yes...i know i look like i'm on safari...i like it). the day i hiked up the Sealy Tarns track one of the higher peaks was incredible. a challenging hike...about 2 hours straight up the mountain...a 500 meter climb...one "stair"after another....thinking...this is gotta be it! up...nope...look...there's a little tiny speck scrambling up there...i suppose that's where i'm headed? oy. but wow...what views...all around. and it was a scorcher of a day. making it all the more rewarding when you hit the top (well one of the "tops"...you can actually continue another 500 meters or so to the ridge of the mountain range where a hut accommodates serious pack-treckers for a night or two...i was just day-hikin') and have your little lunch waiting for you. nothing like eating lunch after a good hike sitting up on a mountain with extraordinary views in all directions (yes…just right past the man with hot-pink shorts and knee high socks: it’s a popular hike so don’t get the wrong idea…there were a few other people sharing the moment). Well…what a great week it had been on my first exploration of NZ. this hiking thing was suiting me just fine...and i looked forward to keep the activity steak going...and as i found...it's not a hard thing to do in new zealand...wow...i really like this place. the main attraction lies in the outdoors: go for a hike, go for a tramp, sleep out where you can see the stars and really, truly explore the nature (and i'm talking both kinds of nature) of the country.