Franz Josef Glacier Hotel

This morning we departed Christchurch at 8:15 on the famous Tranz Alpine train that crosses the Southern Alps at Arthur's Pass and finishes in Greymouth 4+ hours later. What magnificent scenery! Rented a car in Greymouth and proceeded south along the west coast through the Jade Centre of New Zealand, dairy farms, temperate rain forest and finally saw the Franz Josef Glacier. When we checked in there was a Backroads trailer parked by our car and we later saw their hiking group arrive with thei...

We felt blessed this morning when we got up to sunny blue skies. We had booked a half day glacier expedition starting at 8:45. We picked up all our gear - Goretex rain jacket, woolen hats and mitts, boots and "Ice Talonz" for superior glacier drip. The first hour or so was tramping rainforest and glacial riverbed. Then we donned the Ice Talonz and climbed. Awesome and I know our photos won't do it justice. When we left the bus 2:30ish it started to rain. Must be time for laundry and blog upda...

Still here, mostly being defeated by technology. We had a wonderful time with my godmother Joan, still sprightly at almost 86. Her son-in-law straightened out the wheelchair which has been a godsend, and Quantas managed to deliver it, us and ALL our baggage in one piece to New Zealand. We have had Weather, various (350km mostly in POURING rain yesterday) and New Zealand is beautiful if rather empty. I find it a bit like the Highlands....I'd like a little more sign of human activity! Both now ...

After I lost the first travelogue entry to the void of the internet Im trying once again... Internet for dummies anybody?! We went on the helihike today... Hey Kiery, Aunt Trisha here, this morning we drove up to the heli-hike office and asked one of the young guides to assess us for suitability to survive the hike. He looked at each one of us - up and down - up and down then moved onto the next person up and down - up and down and so on down the line. Once he viewed the final person - we wer...

Fox Glacier

Right, after 3 give me a "laaaaaaa". Who was that singing flat?? Wilma and I were miming so we know it's not us. Someone out there has not so dulcet tones and has been "Aguilera -ing" it because this rain is torrential. Wilma's concerned because she hasn't packed the right rain wear and I'm concerned because, well, Wilma's not packed the right rain wear. Still, not to be outdone in the fashion stakes or by the weather Wilma and myself have just invested in two very stylish plastic ponchos (pi...