February 9, 2020
After the beautiful views of the mountains the previous night, we awoke to even clearer skies and a view of Aoraki/Mt Cook from our Chalet window.
Aoraki/Mt Cook from our room
Wider view from the Chalet balcony
We visited the the museum, which had informative displays of Maori culture:
natural history:
Geology of Aoraki Mt Cook
Some of the rocks
A rock from the top of the mountain
and art related to the mountains:
paintings
windows
After one last look at these beautiful mountains we began the drive back to Christchurch.
Last look at Mt Sefton and Aoraki/Mt Cook from the parking area.
Our route to Christchurch.
Clear view back up Hooker Valley
Photo stop: The Southern Alps rose clear and shining in the cloudless sky above the stunning aqua blue waters of Lake Pukaki.
Lake Pukaki, Southern Alps
Zoom in on Aoraki
I continued to watch the mountains out the bus window:
Southern Alps still in view
View across Lake Tekapo, with the white peak of Aoraki still visible above the mountains on the left.
Golden grasslands and lower mountains as we continued eastward.
After lunch in Geraldine, we continued east, sharing last stories with our guide, as he gave us tips about some locations we might visit during our next two weeks.
Vintage car in Geraldine
Crossing the wide braid plain of the Rakaia River as we approached Christchurch
Once in Christchurch, we rented a car, checked into our motel, found a laundromat and grocery store, and were ready to continue our adventures. Tomorrow we would explore nearby Akaroa Harbour.
Meanwhile, notifications on my cell phone pull me back into news of the day…
Margaret Quilts 
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