We spent a few quiet days in Lake Tekapo, doing nothing really, just wandering along the lake shore, watching the rabbits hop, throwing stones into the cold waters, discovering quaint little streets lined with cozy cabins, where mushrooms were growing just on the side of the road and the air smelled of autumn leaves, cold wet earth, and smoke. We took a few drives to the top of Mount John and to Lake Alexandrina, and also to Lake Pukaki again, because Daniel fell asleep in the car and you don’t wake the sleeping baby – you just drive wherever the road takes you and enjoy the views and the adult conversation. The weather was wild and windy quite often during our three day stay, but we were blessed to witness the fresh snow covering the tops of the mountains on our first morning there.
Oh Lake Tekapo, what a special place you are to us. I remember the first moment we saw your shores many years ago – as we were nearing our destination after the three hour drive from Christchurch, and the sun was already behind the low clouds, and everything was pretty dark and gloomy around, but suddenly, as we took another turn, we saw your turquoise waters in front of us, so very blue even in that low light, and we just gasped. There is something magical in that place. It’s no wonder we keep returning there.
