Mount Cook
Mount Cook - The hightest mountain of New ZealandAoraki, meaning cloud piercer, as it is referred to by Maori, raises 3754 m above the sea dwarfs the village in it's all encompassing shadow. Aoraki is one of 27, 3,000m plus peaks that form the spine of the formidable Southern Alps. They are in fact longer than the Swiss, Austrian and Italian Alps combined. This is truly an alpine wonderland, In the summer months the mountain meadows host over 750 species of native flower and 40 species of birds. There are 72 named glaciers making up 40% of the area of Mount Cook National Park.There is very little accommodation in Mt Cook village. If you are planning on staying here bookings are essential. Flightseeing trips over Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and the Hooker glacier operate all year round weather permitting. Ski planes also operate and offer landings on the Tasman Glacier. The Tasman Glacier is 27km long and offers one of the longest down hill ski runs in the world at over 13 km.
The legend of Aoraki.There were four brothers, Aoraki, Raaraki, Rarikiroa and Rakiroa. The brothers travelled from their home in the heavens and set off in their magical waka (canoe) Te Waka o Aoraki. Their father had fallen in love with Papatuanuku (mother earth), much to their mothers displeasure. The sons were angry and set off to confront their father. After a long journey they finally found their father but they could see he truly was in love with Papatuanuku and decided to return home. Aoraki stood in the waka and began the sacred chant that would allow them passage back to the heavens. He made a mistake with the chant and suddenly the winds blew up and the sea began to rise. The brothers panicked and the waka turned over. Struggling to get to safety the brothers clambered over the side of the waka where they were struck by the freezing winds from the south. They froze, turned to stone and became the four highest peaks of the Southern Alps (their maori name is Te Tiri o Te Moana), Aoraki, the oldest of the brothers sits over his siblings. The South Islands ancestoral name is Te Waka o Aorkai
|
Did you know?
Why does New Zealand have so many flightless birds? The answer is quite simple. New Zealand separated from Gondwana land around 80 million years ago before mammals had evolved. Not having ground dwelling predators there was no need for them to fly and over time lost the ability to. As there were no grazing animals such as sheep, goats, deer, antelope etc birds such as the Moa, takahe and Pukeko assumed the roles of grass eaters. Giant Eagles were at the top of the food chain
»
|
|
|
