Black and White Lake Matheson

Panorama Lake Matheson in Black and White

New Zealand holds a special place in my heart. This is Lake Matheson located at Fox Glacier in New Zealand’s South Island.

It was early October 1994, close to sunset. We walked all the way from Fox Glacier Village to see this lake – about one and half hour journey one way. I remembered the blissful quiet and peaceful silence while we were walking. Hardly any vehicles and such beautiful surroundings. All around farmland with cows chewing on hay. They kept staring at us!

This view was taken after a short venture in the forest at the viewing platform. And what a view! In the distance was Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and other surrounding mountain peaks.

Beautiful sight, wonderful memory.

Mountain Landscapes

Here is a small collection of mountain landscapes. I admit mountain landscape is my favourite photographic subject. When there is snow on the mountain top, it is like icing on the cake. Enjoy the pictures.

Saas Fee - Switzerland

There are many beautiful places in Switzerland. Saas Fee happens to be my favourite. A little bit of information on Saas Fee here.

The Matterhorn, Zermatt - Switzerland

Zermatt lies at the foot of Matterhorn – a natural landmark in Switzerland. Here, snow is guaranteed in winter. Even in summer, you can still ski and snowboard here. More pictures on Zermatt here.

Mt Cook as viewed from Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Mt Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. You can explore hiking trails in Mt Cook Village and catch glimpses of the mountain while driving towards Queenstown. For more photos on Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson click here.

Crescent Moon on Mountain top in Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is the adventure resort in New Zealand offering endless array of non-stop activities. For more pictures and information on Queenstown, click here and here.

Snowy Mountains, Australia

Snowy Mountains is located in New South Wales, Australia. You can get there via Sydney or Canberra. More on Australia later.

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Tip : By the way, if your camera white balance setting is set to auto, the end result may show a very off-white picture. In such circumstances, I sometimes switch the white balance setting to tungsten. This overcoats the picture with a bluish cast. Good for emphasizing the blue sky and at the same time creates a natural filter to reduce glare from the white snow. It is all up to individual taste.

In very cold temperatures, minus degree celsius, the camera may stall and the batteries get exhausted much faster. In my case, I wrapped the camera and the batteries in my cap or jacket to keep warm.

Till next time, good luck shooting!

5 Top Places and Activities in New Zealand

Rainbow in Queenstown - first snow in winter

I have done a number of Top 5 or Top 10 articles but have never done an overview of the places and attractions in New Zealand. Let’s be fair and round up both North Island and South Island.

Sunset in Wellington, New Zealand

So, here is a list of places that if you are short for time, at least visit these places :

North Island

1. Pahia, Bay of Islands – Hole in the Rock Cruise, Russell or Hahei – Cathedral Cove kayaking
2. Auckland – skyjump or skywalk from Sky Tower
3. Rotorua – tour the sulfurous landscape, raft the Kaituna River
4. Lake Taupo – Huka Fall, jet boat, raft the Rangitaiki River
5. Wellington – Te papa Museum, city landscape

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

South Island

1. Christchurch – Cathedral Square
2. Fiordland – Milford Sound cruise
3. Lake Tekapo – Church of the Good Shepard
4. Queenstown – rafting, bungy, hiking
5. Fox Glacier – walking on glaciers, Lake Matteson

I have covered Queenstown, Milford Sound and a bit of Fox Glacier earlier.

For a first time visitor in New Zealand, the above places are suggestions to give you an overall sight of the country. You can do more later on the next visit and I feel sure you would want to come back!

Milford Sound boat cruise

If you have less than 7 days, I suggest concentrate on just either North or South Island.

South Island Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 : Christchurch

Day 2 – 4 :  Queenstown

Day 5 : Fox Glacier/Franz Josef Glacier

Day 6 : Christchurch.

After your arrival in Christchurch, take a walk to Cathedral Square to see the church or simply shop around. Spend quiet times at the Botanic Garden to unwind from the long flight. Next day, head to Queenstown. The drive there is spectacular as you pass by breathtaking scenery. Stop at Lake Tekapo for pictures of the beautiful landscape and the Church of the Good Shepard. Nearby is Mt Cook Village. Get a closer look at the mountains and learn the history of the place. Upon arrival in Queenstown, head to the boardwalk for a closer view of Lake Wakatipu. Take the cable car and enjoy the aeriel view of Queentown. Why not have lunch or dinner there. There are a number of hiking trails starting from the gondola. Most tours run along this itinerary with at least 2 nights in Queenstown with one day at Milford Sound. If you have a free day here, choose a combination of activities to save time and cost. Try rafting, a boat cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, skydiving – the choice is limitless. Next visit is either to Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier. I prefer Fox Glacier as there is Lake Matteson. You will come back full circle to Christchurch.

Lake Matheson - Fox Glacier, New Zealand

For North Island, try this itinerary.

Day 1 : Auckland

Day 2  : Pahia or Hahei

Day 3 : Taupo

Day 4 – 5 : Rotorua

Day 6 : Auckland or if you have time – Wellington.

If you flight arrival is in Auckland, this will be your starting point. Go shopping or for that adrenaline kick, skyjump from the Sky Tower. Some tours skip Pahia or Hahei so there is enough time for a visit to Wellington. If you have time, on the second day head to Pahia and join a boat cruise. The highlight – passing through a rock in the middle of the ocean – very cool! Alternatively, head to Hahei. Stroll to Cathedral Cove beach or even better go kayaking – real fun on the water. At Lake Taupo, hike to the Huka Falls or jetboat there. If staying an additional night, you have time for rafting the Rangitaiki River or hike the Tongariro Crossing. Don’t miss Rotorua. It is the equivalent of Queenstown for North Island. Plenty of choice pickings here. I would highly recommend rafting the Kaituna River – what a thrill jumping over the waterfall. Visit the various sulferous landscape next and catch a Moari show. Last, but not least, chill out at Wellington. Shop here or take the cable for an aeriel view of the city.

The choice is yours whether to join a group tour, backpack or free and easy driving on your own.

Christchurch Catheral

Links

• Bay of Islands
• Auckland
• Hahei
• Rotorua
• Taupo
• Wellington
• Christchurch
• Milford Sound
• Tekapo
• Queenstown
• Glacier Country

Pictures for your viewing pleasure. Till next time, have a wonderful day!

Panorama Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

Panorama - cows at sunset

Queenstown night view

Lake Tekapo

Huka Falls, Taupo

Hole in the Rock

Rotorua

Waterfall Milford Sound

Rafting or drowning?

An Interlude at Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, NZ

Evening in Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, New Zealand

 

An Interlude….    

While visiting Fox Glacier, take the time to visit Lake Matheson. By that, I mean walk from Fox Glacier village centre to Lake Matheson. It takes about one and a half hour one way. The sunsets in the West Coast are truly spectacular.    

Signboard to Lake Matheson

 

Past the farm and the cows, breathe the fresh air. With the cows staring, can you say “Moo?”.

In spring time, about 4.30pm, we set off from the village centre.  Taking our time to enjoy the breeze and scenery.

At the entrance of Lake Matheson

 

At the entrance, the signboard shows the history of the area and identify the various mountain tops. You can see Mount Cook from here. There is also a cafe here to rest your feet, quench your thirst and slake your appetite.    

Close up view of the mountains

 

By the time we enter the forest to Lake Matheson, there wasn’t much light. The top picture however showed that there was plenty of light in the right area, at the right place. A serene and beautiful view to behold. I hope your journey reach here too.    

Sunset in the mountains

 

When we walked back to the village centre, long shadows reflected on the road. A fiery sunset backlit the area while cows stared at us intently. “Are they planning to eat us?” Hah!    

On our right, the sunset glowed pink on the mountain tops while the last of the sunlight cast its orange glow on the landscape.   

Long shadows on the land backlit by the fiery sunset

 

A fiery sunset in the west coast

 

Take the journey, take the time after visiting the glacier to reach Lake Matheson.    

None of the pictures here are edited. If you like them, share along. I hope someday, you will visit here.    

Happy holidays!