Click for photographs of Mt. Cook.

      Click for photographs of Hermitage Hotel from where we enjoyed our closest views of Mt. Cook.

      MacKenzie Country Inn was a very nice place to stay.  The view of Mt. Cook we were told we would have from there wasn't really much of a view, but the buffet was one of the better ones we had on the trip and the rooms were very comfortable.

      Before dinner, I walked around the facility and discovered a helipad immediately behind it.  A sightseeing helicopter landed and had some guests concerned that it might operate while they tried to sleep overnight.

It didn't.

      I can not resist a picture perfect rose.  The one shown at right was in a small garden found at the inn.