In the center of
New Zealand's South Island,
Mount Cook rises in glacier-covered peaks above Lake Pukake. As the ice melts, it forms a river that filters through rocks until it fills a lake with aquamarine water so fresh you can cup your hand and drink right from it. Forests on the other end rise from damp ground toward a scenic highway.
Beyond Lake Pukake, another mountain range rises steeply from
Lake Tekapo. The forests below turn orange in autumn, surrounding an old stone chapel. To the east, snow fields beckon skiers from local sheep farm valleys and places all over the world.
Toward the southwest, isolated
Lake Sylvan glows with clear water, surrounded by evergreen beeches. Sun rays dance across its surface and toward my camera's lens, creating strange reflection.
Wherever I travel in the world, I will remember the mountain lakes of New Zealand.
Lonna Lisa Williams
You can see more travel adventures on my
Blog,
Facebook,
Youtube, and in my
books.
Mount Cook's immense valley
The glacial melt-off from Mount Cook becomes a river
The river fills Lake Pukake
Sometimes Lake Pukake looks blue
Sometimes Lake Pukake's waters seem aquamarine
Sometimes the lake looks like pastel art or a glimpse of heaven
An autumn forest surrounds the stone chapel at Lake Tekapo
Close-up of Lake Tekapo's stone chapel
Toward the east, the mountains rise steeply above Lake Tekapo, a ski field in the foreground
A closer view of Lake Tekapo's ski field
Lake Tekapo's vast valley
An overview of Lake Tekapo valley and ski field
Lake Tekapo valley eastward
Lake Tekapo Valley toward the eastern road
Lake Tekapo Valley further east
