Mount Cook, Chapter 5: Tekapo and Church of the Good Shepherd

And now, the final installment of our our trip to Mt Cook (last November I think).  No really, this is it, 5 chapters is enough.  :)

When the rain was taking over and keeping us from seeing the mountain, we took the day to travel to Tekapo.  We had to drive around lake Pukaki to get there.  Lake Pukaki is special because it is made up of water almost fully from glacial melt coming from the Tasman and other glaciers from Mt Cook.  The rock from the mountain is ground down to smaller and smaller rock until it becomes "rock flour" which makes the water a cloudy blue...

Even without the sun, the water stayed a dramatic milky blue.  The weather was ugly and pushing in, the contrast of the water was striking...

Further down the road from Peter's lookout, the clouds made it look like the lake just fell over the horizon.  Normally you'd see Mt Cook from there, but you'll just have to trust me.

The other direction from the lookout the clouds hadn't completely blocked the sun yet causing different colors on the water and the distant Rollesby hills...

I know we've already shown you lupin pictures from that day, but I couldn't help but put in few more.  The road to Tekapo was surrounded by fields full of them... 

At Tekapo is a famous little church called the Church of the Good Shepherd.  It is very small and positioned on the shore of Lake Tekapo.  There are no other buildings around it, a very peaceful location...

Tekapo is known for its star-gazing.  It is actually an international dark sky reserve, which means the lights of the city are only allowed to be so bright, and the street lights all have covers on them so they can't shine upward.  Up on the hill is a large observatory with giant telescopes.  On a good night they even see the southern lights from time to time (a spectacle which has still eluded us!).  My camera isn't "flash enough" (kiwi for "fancy enough") to take very good star pictures.  Take a look at some amazing pictures other people have captured at Tekapo:  Tekapo Stargazing

The lupins will grow anywhere in that region.  Here they are growing on the rocky beach at lake Tekapo, one of the bright blue glacial lakes.

From inside the church there is quite a view.  The small alter overlooks the lake.  Would be quite the peaceful place for a service.

Not very big, only 4 rows of pews or so... it is shared by many of the local faiths and still holds services.  They take turns so different denominations can worship at this beautiful place...

Outside down the beach a short distance is a monument to the working dogs of south island.  There are many similar shrines around south island.  Herding dogs are an important and special part of farming life down here...

Here's the attached plaque...

Lots of other greenery growing around the lake....

We turned around and headed back to Mt Cook before calling it a weekend.  One last lupin sunset picture... ahhh lupins...