Above: One of the guests photo's of Aoraki Mount Cook
After a recent stay with us, this comment was posted to trip advisor. It was written so well that I felt I had to share it with you….
“Our stay in Mount Cook (Aoraki) was no less than magnificent.
It was tipping down for the first afternoon and evening with ferocious gusts of wind, a spectacular storm. So we did the movies that day. There is a planetarium in the Hermitage hotel which is hypnotic. 3D magic starts with a 3D animation of the Maori legend of how the South Island and Aoraki was born, my children were enthralled and now have a good understanding of the legend.
The next morning the weather was the same so we headed to the planetarium, to learn about planets, black holes and more of 3D magic. The enormous feats in the area, performed by incredible individuals and none more than the museums namesake, are set out in the Sir Edmund Hillary centre – I could’ve stayed there all day.
By midday, the rain had stopped and cloud was starting to lift and by the time we’d walked to the blue lakes (that are green) there were snow capped faces and peaks poking out everywhere through mountain hugging clouds. We headed on towards the ridge to view the Tasman lake and it’s icebergs… beautiful! By this time it was almost totally clear.
I coerced my two seven year olds up these tracks, it’s an experience that they’ll always remember.
The peace and solitude is magical. It’s the stuff I’d been craving. The enormous expanse of the area and the surrounds of the mountains have this intangible, infectious energy.
I had wanted to swim at the blue (green) lakes but thought we should push on.. A second chance came when when we returned to the carpark - there was to the side, one (of many) beautiful rivers running through the valley from them icy glaciers and snowy peaks so I immersed myself in that.
That swim is one I shall never forget – so exhiliarating, sooo cold.
The Hermitage Hotel itself reflects this expanse and beauty.
The room on the 9th floor enabled us to view head on, the constantly changing weather patterns and views of this spectacular scenery. The staff are willing, friendly and hospitable and there is a very special baby grand piano in the hallway of the second floor with a picture window at the end looking straight down the valley. I spent about an hour noodling around on it on that rainy afternoon– I haven’t done that for ages, I reckon it’s a meditative piano and that’s what people have done on it for 50 years.
I love this place and am already planning my return trip, except for longer.” – Posted by ‘Guitarmelee’ of Sydney on Tripadvisor, Dec 9th 2009.
It was tipping down for the first afternoon and evening with ferocious gusts of wind, a spectacular storm. So we did the movies that day. There is a planetarium in the Hermitage hotel which is hypnotic. 3D magic starts with a 3D animation of the Maori legend of how the South Island and Aoraki was born, my children were enthralled and now have a good understanding of the legend.
The next morning the weather was the same so we headed to the planetarium, to learn about planets, black holes and more of 3D magic. The enormous feats in the area, performed by incredible individuals and none more than the museums namesake, are set out in the Sir Edmund Hillary centre – I could’ve stayed there all day.
By midday, the rain had stopped and cloud was starting to lift and by the time we’d walked to the blue lakes (that are green) there were snow capped faces and peaks poking out everywhere through mountain hugging clouds. We headed on towards the ridge to view the Tasman lake and it’s icebergs… beautiful! By this time it was almost totally clear.
I coerced my two seven year olds up these tracks, it’s an experience that they’ll always remember.
The peace and solitude is magical. It’s the stuff I’d been craving. The enormous expanse of the area and the surrounds of the mountains have this intangible, infectious energy.
I had wanted to swim at the blue (green) lakes but thought we should push on.. A second chance came when when we returned to the carpark - there was to the side, one (of many) beautiful rivers running through the valley from them icy glaciers and snowy peaks so I immersed myself in that.
That swim is one I shall never forget – so exhiliarating, sooo cold.
The Hermitage Hotel itself reflects this expanse and beauty.
The room on the 9th floor enabled us to view head on, the constantly changing weather patterns and views of this spectacular scenery. The staff are willing, friendly and hospitable and there is a very special baby grand piano in the hallway of the second floor with a picture window at the end looking straight down the valley. I spent about an hour noodling around on it on that rainy afternoon– I haven’t done that for ages, I reckon it’s a meditative piano and that’s what people have done on it for 50 years.
I love this place and am already planning my return trip, except for longer.” – Posted by ‘Guitarmelee’ of Sydney on Tripadvisor, Dec 9th 2009.
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1 comment:
Gorgeous. I adore Hermitage too...
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