Lavender memories

We departed Fiordland shortly after breakfast on Wednesday, initially retracing our steps back to Queenstown before making our way over the Crown Range summit to Cardrona. In winter this is the heart of New Zealand’s ski region while in Summer Cardrona is typically known for its picturesque country hotel and the infamous Cardrona Bra Fence.

However, the tranquil, uninterrupted lake view from our hotel room in Hawera proved the ultimate winner of the day’s postcard moment.

The following morning, we made our way north toward Mount Cook. Our first stop was Puzzling World, a quirky attraction on the outskirts of Wanaka. Here we spent an hour or so experiencing all manner of mind-bending illusions including a sloping house that made you appear to walk its rooms with a rather unconventional lean. Garry and I then finished the morning at a nearby Lavender Farm. It was quite something wandering through iridescent fields of flowers.

Our final stop for the day was another memorable highlight. We briefly pulled into a scenic lookout on the shores of Lake Pukaki before making our way to the Hermitage Hotel. I've always wanted to visit this iconic venue, located in the shadow of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Today, I've finally realised another one of my childhood dreams.

This evening, the summit of Aoraki, as Mt Cook is also known, is shrouded in heavy clouds. We may not get to see it in all of its glory. The forecast for the next couple of days isn't promising, Rain is predicted tomorrow and the day after. Click on the panorama below to experience the view from our hotel room balcony. It's pretty awesome!