Tuesday, March 13, 2012

New Zealand's South Island: Mt. Cook National Park

I don't have much to say about this ultra classic. As they say: "New Zealand . . . Rocks!!!" Ellen and I spent two days in the area and I'd say the experience was pretty spectacular from start to finish. As an added bonus, on the six-hour drive from Kiakoura to Mt. Cook Village I learned that the "long black" styled coffee is my ticket to ride.


Mt. Cook!

The "Oooos" and "Ahhhs" start from Lake Tekapo, approximately 100 kilometers from Mt. Cook. Glacier-carved valleys and Mt. Cook -- which stands as New Zealand's highest mountain at around 3700 meters -- begin to frame the horizon.





Once at the village a number of world-famous hiking trails lead you into the mountains and face-to-face with iceberg-filled lakes, glaciated peaks, and fast-flowing rivers. Here are some pictures from our adventures:







Finally, on a completely unrelated note, I've learned that extensive travel helps me distinguish between things I truly care about and things only ESPN makes me care about. As it turns out: I care about March Madness.