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The historic allure of Aldourie Lodge appeals to everybody who passes via this nook of New Zealand.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Tekapo, you’ll discover a very cute and comfortable home overlooking the long-lasting lake. Aldourie Lodge is one in every of Tekapo’s unique homes, filled with old-world attraction. In an period of unprecedented constructing throughout New Zealand, there’s one thing so pretty about having the ability to keep in historic areas.
As somebody who considers herself to be each a large historical past nerd and an introvert who loves cozy areas, Aldourie Lodge made me swoon as I walked inside. Cloaked with heat wooden, massive home windows, cozy furnishings, and its personal library, you may simply keep inside the entire time and be completely content material.
In some methods, it jogged my memory of the States, the place I grew up on the East Coast. With the nice and cozy wooden, the comfortable kitchen, and the paneled home windows, it felt rather a lot like properties I’ve hung out in across the south the place I’m from.
Cozy is certainly the most effective phrase to explain it. Or “cosy” because it’s spelled right here down below.
There are literally three locations to remain as a part of Aldourie Lodge, although they’re all separate and personal; you received’t see or cross paths with others. Every house is a whole dwelling. You’ve gotten the massive essential home, Aldourie Lodgewith three bedrooms. Then there’s Awa Cottagewith two bedrooms. And at last, Sealy Road Studio.
Final winter, I stayed on the lodge for just a few days with pal on a venture, and it was so onerous to depart. In actual fact, I stayed an additional evening as a result of the highway again to Wanaka was closed because of ice. It was so robust (jokes). Then in the course of the summer season, I stayed within the cottage with my dad and stepmom once they visited; it was equally cozy.
The view from the entrance door of Aldourie Lodge in Lake Tekapo is nearly nearly as good because it will get!
Earlier than the pandemic, Tekapo was a buzzy, small South Island city that drew folks in like a magnet. It was all the time busy, and tourism was completely booming.
However the previous few years, Tekapo was quiet, like actually quiet.
This meant it was by no means a greater time to go to. Together with many kiwis, I actually tried to make the most of this, hanging out in common spots and taking the time to discover my very own yard once more. It was nice to return final winter earlier than issues kicked again into excessive gear. And belief me, Tekapo is beautiful in winter.
From unbelievable surroundings, a number of journey, darkish evening skies, and the kindest locals you’ll ever meet, I used to be so pleased to spend a number of days right here soaking all of it in final winter. And when Tekapo places on her winter coat, nicely, there’s nowhere extra lovely.
Tekapo is without doubt one of the coldest locations in New Zealand in winter and one of many hottest in summer season. Typically it has clear blue skies with no humidity and no wind. This makes for beautiful crisp winter days and freezing nights. Tekapo sits at over 700 meters above sea stage too, which suggests it’s one of many few locations the place you’ll be able to depend on to get snow at floor stage.
You get these completely clear, freezing nights that result in big frosts, as every part is completely nonetheless. The stargazing is unreal. I name it white walker climate – if , . It’s not unusual for it to drop beneath damaging 10 levels Celsius at evening in winter.
And then you definitely’ll be pleased to be snuggled up by the fireplace in a heat cozy dwelling!
Crispy winter mornings in Lake Tekapo are simply so lovely.
Generally a fog rolls in on these clear nights. And when it lifts within the morning, it typically reveals a panorama of ice, a uncommon hoar frost that makes every part it touches sparkle.
Hoar frost is a phenomenon we generally see on the South Island, largely round Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin, the place Tekapo sits. It’s normally attributable to freezing fog. When it’s beneath zero, and there’s a fog, the tiny water droplets that contact the bottom, or something actually, freeze, protecting the floor with a frost so thick and spikey it typically appears to be like like snow. It’s so fascinating.
Tekapo is certainly among the best locations to expertise true winter in New Zealand.
I typically take into consideration how a lot I really like all 4 seasons. I feel it speaks to my childhood rising up in a spot with every distinct season. Whereas we don’t get snow days like I used to have as a child, it’s nonetheless fantastic to have the ability to expertise right here in New Zealand.
I don’t assume I may very well be a kind of individuals who lived in summer season year-round or moved forwards and backwards between summers throughout the hemispheres.
Whereas I’m not a morning particular person by any stretch of the creativeness, I did get pleasure from waking up early in Tekapo and sitting outdoors wrapped up in thick blankets, ingesting espresso, and watching the solar rise over the frozen panorama. It was so magical. We’re actually fortunate locations like this nonetheless exist.
Listed below are my ideas and must-dos for a good time in Tekapo:
Sleep: Aldourie Lodge
Espresso: The Grasping Cow
Brekkie/brunch: Jack Rabbit Cafe
Buying: Petronella’s Bookstore
Walks: Mount John Walkway
Splurge: Scenic flight round Mt. Prepare dinner with Air Safaris
Dinner: Reflections Cafe
Should do: Tekapo Sizzling Springs and stargazing with Chameleon Stargazing (finances) or personal with Alpha Crux Stargazing (they will come to you)
When planning your subsequent vacation in New Zealand, and maybe to Tekapo, you’ll want to try Aldourie Lodge. Keep for so long as you’ll be able to; it’s positively the type of place you wish to be and spend a while inside enjoyable.
Tekapo is the proper base for every kind of adventures across the Mackenzie space. You’ve acquired Twizel and Mount Prepare dinner close by, with loads of adventures and walks for almost anybody. There are even just a few membership ski fields subsequent door too.
And in case you occur to be right here in winter? Even higher. Tekapo actually shines when the mountains are lined in snow, and people crisp sunny chilly days flip the lakes into blue mirrors. It’s magic.
Do you want staying in cozy properties when you journey? Is winter interesting to you down right here in New Zealand? Share!
Many because of Aldourie Lodge for internet hosting me to go to Tekapo – like all the time, I’m holding it actual – all opinions are my very own, like you may count on much less from me.
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