Mt. Cook/Aoraki National Park

Originally, when I was planning my trip to NZ (like a week before I actually left there), Mt.Cook was the second thing I was going to see right after Christchurch. But due to a confusion with my vineyard exchange date, I ended up moving a few things around to accommodate a new travel schedule and this ended up being on my "to do list while on the way back up again". 

Might've been for the best - mountains are somehow more dramatic when are topped by snow. Also apparently, between the peak period of summer and the skiing season starting July, I landed on the perfect quiet time where the most popular track - the Hooker Valley Track is not busy.

Something the brochure didn't tell me - there are no supermarkets in Mt.cook village. Really. You can buy some supplies from the hostel or the Hermitage hotel but there are no supermarkets. There is even a school and a yoga class, but no supermarkets! I just found it surprising as I know people come here to do a multi-day hike and isn't it just sensible to make the village a supplies stop of some sort?

The village is tiny - it takes 10 minutes to go from one end to another.
Surrounded by mountains - I found them slightly a strange combination. On one side - the hill is covered by thick trees and vegetation. Opposite it are high mountains, bare of vegetation, but at the base - yellow sweeping grasses and low trees/bushes that remind me somewhat of Africa.

Hooker Valley Track must be the most fun hiking track I have undertaken so far. It hugs the mountain, and goes along the river, and has 2 swing-birdges and ends with a view to Tasman Glacier.

The Tasman glacier