Our last night in Twizel was perfect. The hostel filled with interesting people and we all sat together in the dining area till 11:30 talking. A French girl on a 2 year work visa, 3 guys from Germany, a Dept. of Conservation opossum trapper, a New Zealand tour bus driver, and an Aussie nickel miner. The bus driver helped explain some confusion we had about government land leases here. The story goes that the NZ government leased out land to farmers 30 some years ago. I guess they did not make enough money from the farmers so as the lease come up for renewal, any land above 3,000ft can have no structures or livestock and the farmers can have the land. It doesn't make much sense to me so I'm sure pieces are missing. The gist is that with the farmers owning the land can now do whatever they want. Which means they are starting to sell sections of their properties to homebuilders and farming less. It looks as though the NZ landscape will be changing very soon.
This morning we left town and headed toward Mt. Cook, NZ highest mountain. Most of the day was spent walking the A2O cycle trail around Lake Pukaki. The water was a vibrant turquoise. The original Te Araroa trail is closed for canal maintenance so tomorrow we continue to follow the lake before following a gravel road to Lake Tekapo Village for a quick resupply.
Lake Pukaki
Hydropower Pipe
Mt. Cook
Our camp spot for the night.
Country Mouse and Shadow
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