The Maunga

 I have had a quiet day as I haven't been very well so spend some time wondering what I could post about as there was nothing particularly exciting or new in my day. Browsing through my photo gallery I came across the photos I took last year while visiting this beautiful part of our country.

This is the Hooker Valley with the Hooker Glacier at the head of the Lake and Aoraki/Mt Cook behind it. This mountain (or maunga in Maori) is the tallest one in New Zealand and it is a special place to visit.

Living my whole life in New Zealand I have always known about this mountain as it was on many a biscuit tin lid or box of chocolates at the time when it was fashionable to do this. I have driven past it many times on journeys across the South Island - seeing it from a distance and marvelling at its beauty. I have never been up to the village however - this seemed to be a distant and difficult lace to get to for some reason. However in 2019 my husband and I made the trip for the first time ever as a group of friends were going. It was amazing and something I find hard to explain. I felt like I was going to a place that spoke to my soul, my very being. The energy of this place was immense and unspoken and it found its way into the corners of my heart to settle permanently. I couldn't believe I had taken 50 years to find this place!

We went again last year with other friends and took the time to walk the Hooker Track up to the lake where I took this photo. This mountain made me feel humbled by its quiet presence and reminded me that no matter what we have going on in our lives it pales in significance when compared to these majestic and ancient structures that have been around for millennia before us and will continue long after we are gone. It helps put things in perspective - and that right there is some therapy for free!