Scott Track

Arthur's Pass National Park 

Morning Daisy =)

Today we are going to take the Scott Track to Avalanche peak 1877metres , the track takes 7-8 hrs return. The weather is cloudy and looking to rain but the I-site mentioned that we have to be careful and advises us to take the Scott track instead of Avalanche Track as Avalanche track is more dangerous and has more snow covered track.

Excellent view of Devil's Punchbowl Falls, this time from atop!

A great full day walk with plenty of views to take in! So happy to see the snow capped mountains =)

So beautiful view of the valley

The cheeky Kea

So colorful beneath its wings...

The track to Avalanche Peak is well known for being quite dangerous and avalanche might happen during winter.We did not climb to the top because it looked quite dangerous on the ridge up there and some who climbed it said it offers really nice view, but we also saw nice views even before the summit. And also it has a bit of track covered in snow. So we climb up to probably 1500metres, take in the view and have a good lunch. We saw snow anyway, there were pools of snow froze at where we stop.. We made snowman for christmas =)

The mountains looks different everyday, with the cloud changing the landscape frequently. Amazing....

Mount Cook - Sealy Tarn Track

Good morning salmons!! @ Twizel Salmon Farm..

Yes, we are excited too!!! Making our way to Mount Cook today!

From highway 8, turning into SH 80, we saw Mount Cook for the very first time. The road towards the tallest mountain of NZ, Mount Cook (world heritage listed) is so beautiful, with Lake Pukaki on the right hand side.

We visited the DOC info center to learn about the weathers and short walks available. We knew that today's weather going to be sunny while tomorrow is looking at rain and cloudy. So we will try to do the Sealy Tarn track (3hrs return) today! But the weather forecast in NZ is always not so accurate :p The weather can change anytime, especially here at Mount Cook where the westerly winds blows towards the mountain....

Reaching Mount Cook Village.. Oh no cloudy again...

So we proceed with our walk at Sealy Tarn*****, accessed from the White Horse Hill campground. It was a steep climb! More like climbing a long long staircase for 1.5 hours. So much pressure on the ankles and knees. But finally we made it! And the view is so so rewarding....

A good view of Mount Cook and two glacier lakes, Hooker Lake and ... Forgotten Lake Name =P

While taking our time to capture Mt Cook, avalanche is happening every now and then.. The sound is so loud and large snow falling down so heavily.. GOsh imagine having to hike under such condition...

Sealy Tarn track View

Ma Ma Miaaaa~~~

Sunset view @ Kea Point

Mueller glacier moraine wall (the grey part), the glacial debris formed this massive wall..

There is a Mueller Hut 3 hrs climb to the top of Mount Sealy to get a panorama view and watch Mt Cook during sunset &sunrise! But the track is covered in snow, so we did not even try to think of going. Not to our limits with only one sleeping bag and unsuitable footwear. So we can only try to see Mt Cook during sunset at Kea Point, again. We did not manage to see the 'pink' colour of the Mt Cook during sunset, it was too cloudy, but we did manage to see the peak of the mountain, finally!

This cute cloud formation keeps appearing then disappear above Mt Cook =)

The only DOC campsite at Mt Cook village, White Horse Hill Campground $10 pp... With good cooking shelter and clean toilets... Shower available for $2 for 5mins at the Day Shelter near the info center at the village.

Queenstown Skyline

Goodbye Milford, here we come Queenstown!

Back to Queenstown, the adventure-land! 

After four hours of driving from Milford Sound and the restless walks we have done, we have decided to get some adventure packed gastronomy for our tummies :p Bought the $66 Gondola + Buffet dinner package from YHA (member's discounted price of $10). Since we will be paying $26 to ride on the gondola, we just top up $40 for the dinner... Which sounds pretty good.. The legendary gondola ride up the Bob's Peak is one of the must in Queenstown, and we know why!

Gondola ride..

There are also many other activities to do here, like the Luge (like a toboggan ride), paragliding, sledge bungee jump, Ben Lomond walking track, and mountain biking down the hill! All too expensive and others too adrenalin pumping, so we would very much prefer the buffet and take in the beautiful views!

It is so amazing, having a buffet dinner with such spectacular views for the eyes!! Well, the buffet dinner is really yUMSS... With seafood like salmon, mussels, tiger prawns, hoki and carvery like roast lamb and pork and grill pork scotch fillet.. Though the salmon really tasted just average... Too bland.. But the prawns and grill pork is really nice.. More appealing is the array of dessert... Creamy tiramisu is sooooo good!

Best VIEW restaurant =)

Cheese Platter

After the 1 hr 45 min buffet time, we brought our bloated stomachs out on the viewing deck.... Good for digestion :p the view is once again superb, and we get to see the moon rise about the same time the sun sets! So cool.....

Standing at 790m above sea level

Overlooking the Double Cone @Mount The Remarkables

Lake Wakatipu, length of 77 km

Night view of Queenstown