This week’s 500 words post is a real favourite of mine – not only in one of my favourite places but also, what I think, it’s a pretty cool photo.

Where: Lake Pukaki, South Island, New Zealand

When: April 2016. It was my 2nd day of a round the South Island road trip.

Why Was I There: I was staying at Lake Tekapo for a couple of nights and I was doing a bit of a ‘tiki tour’ of the local area. Not far from Lake Tekapo is the gorgeously stunning Lake Pukaki, so I headed there first on my drive that day.

‘Tiki Tour’ – NZ slang meaning:
– sight-seeing journey with no particular destination
– taking the scenic route to a destination
– to wander aimlessly

The Area: This area of New Zealand is particularly gorgeous. Lake Pukaki is this crazy amazing blue colour due to the water for the lake coming from glaciers. On a good day like the one I had, you can have a clear view of New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook, which you can see in the background of the photo above.

The Photo: I had been out of the car taking loads of photos of the lake, the mountains and the people. I had got back in the car and I had this NZ atlas with me. I’ve had it for a few years now and along with the normal routes you can take, it also shows interesting extra things you can see on your travels. I decided it would make a cool photo if I had the map showing the area that I was in. And I was right (even if I do say so myself).

The Day: Firstly the day was simply gorgeous, I was having some really amazing weather on this mid-autumn trip. Often you will get to Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook will be slightly covered or fully covered in clouds but this day was actually just perfect. There were quite a few other people around, doing the same thing I was but this spot it great because you can pull over to a parking area & then get out for a wander.

Why should you visit: I think the question I should be asking is “Why the hell wouldn’t you visit?!?” If you ever find yourself in the South Island of New Zealand, it would be complete remiss of you to not head to this area. You can pretty much drive up to the base of the Southern Alps, to the Aoraki/Mount Cook Village – a very easy drive from the main highway, and even get out and take in a walk.  Aoraki/Mount Cook Village is just over a 4 hour drive from Christchurch or just over 3 hours from Queenstown – those times are without stopping, which I dare you to try and do those drives without stopping!

Final Thoughts: This area is one of my favourite places around. From Lake Tekapo to Twizel, the Pukaki Canals to Lake Wanaka, this area of the South Island has some of the most stunning scenery you will see. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Have you been?
What are your thoughts?