Mountain views while chasing down the hot air balloon

Sat 22 Feb 2025

After hearing last night that our balloon ride on Sunday morning was at risk due to the weather, we heard today that it was a "no go", with the option to move to Monday morning instead.

We've been rejigging our camping sites, and aren't freedom camping tonight, but have got permission to wild camp at the site of the balloon launch so we can tumble out of bed in time for the 6am start! 

In the mean time, we've headed to Glentunnel, which is nearer to where we need to be.

As we were retracing some of the original route we took to the Southlands, we were delighted that the weather today afforded us the opportunity to enjoy a stop to look at Aoraki / Mount Cook, the tallest (3724m) mountain in New Zealand. It had been obscured by clouds when had done the glacier tour earlier in our trip.


Our view was from Lake Pukaki, where we were able to pick up some sashimi, as well as a zingy salmon spread for our sandwiches. This is very fresh from the salmon in the lake. 

We are at Glentunnel Holiday Park, which is council run with sparser amenities, but huge pitches to give us space to breath. It's in a quiet town with just one shop.




 

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