The world is my oyster again, this time at Lake Tekapo. On my way to Mt Cook I decided to stop at Tekapo for its famous night sky views, but this destination has to offer much more than that!
I left Chch in the morning and reached Tekapo at 1pm. First stop was YHA hostel where I am staying for the night. And oh my gosh what a hostel this is! Clean and tidy with every utensil you can imagine! I mean seriously, have you ever been in a hostel that has a blender in the kitchen? I haven't! But the best part is of course the view of the lake. Peace and quiet...
As soon as I have unpacked everything I started my sightseeing tour. Church of the Good Shepherd is that famous little church in every picture of Tekapo. And it truly is nice minus packs of zombie tourists flashing their cameras at everything that moves. But a surprise avaited me there. As soon as I exited the church the guide came after me and asked me whether I am from Slovenia. I replied "yes" in a shock. "How did you know?" I forgot I decided to sport my I feel sLOVEenia shirt today and the guide pointed at my shirt as if it should be obvious. "I haven't met a single Slovenian until today, but I really want to visit the country next year. Can you give me some tips?" And this is how the roles have been reversed. I was giving inside tips to a guide in Tekapo. Imagine!
I pondered on the strange coincidences of life as I was making my way to Mt John. Mt John is a strange solitary hill by the lake, about the height of Šmarjetna or even less. But this little hill is a place of University of Canterbury's astrological observatory and one of the best place in the southern hemisphere to look at the starry sky. Since it was daytime I settled for incredible views of surrounding mountain ranges and the crystal clear lake. At the very top Astro cafe offers the same great views with the added bonus of coffee, cakes and protection from the wind. I went for hot lemon and honey, just because, and it was delicious.
The longer way down led me further down the peninsula and then along the beach back to Tekapo. The sun decided to show up and make a performance of incredible blues of the lake, yellows of the dry grass, whites of the clouds, greys of the shadows and goldens of the sunbeams leisurly caressing the distant mountain ranges. The silence was indescribable and only gushes of wind broke it every now and then. I was alone, overlooking a spectacular lake that a glacier carved into the rock a long time ago. I felt as if I am the only person in the world, the first settler to this pristine land.
And now I am here, in the cozy lounge, again with the views of the lake, watching the sun go down and slowly wrap the lake in the darkness. Supposedly the most spectacular darkness in New Zealand. I have my astrophotography nightly escape still ahead of me, but I already know this place is something truly special. It revoked my big love of New Zealand and cured my terrible case of longing for the mountains. I am happy.
Yours truly,
Ajda
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