Day 10

11 April 2010

Today, we set out to tackle the rather unassuming Rob Roy Glacier track. The track is about an hour's drive away from the township of Wanaka. In actual fact, it would take a big-sized campervan almost 2 hours to reach the track as we had to endure a stretch of gravel road. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

sheppish sheeps

As soon as we enter the gravel paths, things began to look much more interesting. The uneven surfaces forced us to go at a much slower pace and in return, we were treated to some very vernacular sights and sounds.

green green grass of home


Needless to say, we were greeted by livestock. Livestock had never posed as a problem until today.

cows-a-crossing

more cows

The cows were, I don't know, travelling from one side of the road to another. In front of us there was a sedan trying to squeeze through. In the end, we could not move an inch, so we just stopped there while the cows figured out what exactly it is that they want to do.

bottle neck rampage

I will admit to a few moments of uncalled-for panic as the cows are afterall, capable of toppling our van over. The cows did not want to move, or could not decide where to go, because most of them are moms and our vehicles separated them from their young, so the moms are doubling back to fetch their kid.

"I see where you get your good looks from"

The cow fiasco delayed us for a mere 10 minutes before we moved on. We reached the Rapsberry Flat Carpark. It did not look as delicious as it sounded. There were about 5 other cars there when we set off. The weather was not very encouraging and I had half a mind to call it off.

know a 'Nazgul' when you see one

For the first leg of the walk,the wind was very much in our faces, sweeping sand bits into our eyes. I had to keep my hood way over my head and since I misplaced my gloves, tuck my hands way into my sleeves. Except for my legs, I do look like a walking void. The best way to walk was to slant towards the wind.

rob roy suspension bridge

The bent walking would end as soon as we crossed this slim, hanging bridge because we will be entering the birch forest and shall be sheltered from the winds.

the first incline

Because we have had a workout yesterday, mentally, we found the trek ahead less daunting. Physically, I was in no better shape. The view was gorgeous though, as the path we travelled was parallel to a rocky river.

cantilevered human-pancake maker

HAHA! Yes, a very scary protrusion indeed. Along the way. we encountered evidence of past erosions - uprooted trees, fiords, and chunks of the route tumbling down the edge of the treks.

Glacier river

D took a lot of the river photos as we all know now of his morbid obsession with the icy, glowing, pure blue waters. I dipped my hands into the river and found it excruciatingly painful, one minute later. It was pretty cold. It's a wonder it's still flowing.

"v" on air

Regardless of how tired I was, there was still a "V" jump to execute. The jump is not so different from the travelling garden gnome concept. We will try to do a "V" jump at any major landmark. Also, even though the temperature was probably 10 or so degrees, you can see that I have gotten rid of my jacket.

rob roy glacier

Finally, we arrived at the, em, well, end of the trail. There isn't really a summit to this trek and the images are disappointingly bad, but this is apparently where we should turn back. Yes, 3 hours of sweating and toiling in the chilly autumn afternoon to see some blardy ice. I suppose, if you are in a hurry, it would be alright to give this trek a miss. Unless, of course you are a nature walk enthusiast.

ice that is pretty far away

Proof that we were there

Munched on some snack bars before we began the descent, this time with a German in tow. If there is anything about NZ, it's the Germans. They are everywhere in NZ. Nothing against them of course, but it must have been all young German's rite of passage to come to NZ for a trip.

Someone was there

Packed on the jacket, and off we go. The weather does not look like it will hold, as dark clouds are gathering, slowly but surely. Surprisingly, we did not get caught up in any rain or storm. The journey back was pleasant and much faster, as we were declining. Also, when you are with company, time seemed to fly.

There and back again

It would have seemed that we completed the trek in less than an hour, by the way I am documenting, but in actual fact, we probably spent about 4 hours to and fro.

Rapsberry Flat

It was approximately 2.30pm when we got back to the car. We bade goodbye top German No.2 and decided to stop for lunch, again, at the roadside. Lunch at the roadside is usually instant cup noodles.

shadowplay

We have had many sunny days and balmy weather while we were in NZ up till now. Today, the sun has toned down a bit and we get to see the gloomy, heavy clouds surrounding the valley we were in. Witnessed some light and shadow play with the mountains as backdrop. Unassuming. But nice : )