Splendour of the Southern Alps

My flight back to Christchurch was a real stunner - the Southern Alps had been newly dressed with snow and Mt Cook was looking splendid. Above is a view of Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, with a close up of Mt Cook below:



A couple of the other lakes in the region (Lake Ohau and Lake Ruataniwha), with a glacial steel-blue shine:



And Lake Wanaka hemmed in by towering peaks:



The Rangitata River and Gorge:



The plane then descended over the Canterbury plains, the sun glinting spectacularly off the braided Rakaia River and distant Mt Hutt. What better way to experience the beauty of the South Island, and return to Christchurch?