Punga Grove Franz Josef

... the back on the way back down and found my head and ears alot more sore that time but it was only for a few minutes so I didn't mind. It really was worth spending the money for the experience and it really made up for the fact that we didn't get to hike on the glacier.

We set off that afternoon on our long journey to Queenstown stopping off on route to see Fox glacier from afar which was similar to Franz so if you see one thats enough I think.

We have now driven accross from Christchurch on the east coast to the west coast. We had to drive through the mountains in the middle of the country, the roads were ok though but it was a bit windy! We stopped at some of the scenic view points and saw lots of rainbows due to the rain/sun.

During one of the stops we saw the NZ native Kea bird (green parrot) which is supposed to be very clever but ...

... out the pancake rocks (scientists to this
day still don't understand entirely how they are being formed). But
the best part of the drive was seeing the mountains as we got closer
to glacier country. Now we are at the Rainforest Retreat Campsite –
literally set in a rainforest it's the best campsite as far as
surroundings so far. And the stars!!!! You can see whole galaxies out
here – it makes us want to get into astronomy.

... woods, with no one else in sight, just taking it in. It started to **** down on my return but i still enjoyed, nice to stroll in the rain sometimes, i mean i wont melt. I couldn't see much from the view as there were clouds everywhere but still an enjoyable walk. I feel like i exerted just enough energy today and will go back to chilling like a villain as i think i have earned it.

There was a earthquake here as some of you ...

... br>After one such bus ride we arrived in Franz Joseph, a dinky little town that boasts a glacier, some hot pools and glowing worms. Somehow we managed to see just one of the three attractions, but what an attraction it was. We spent a full day hiking up the glacier with crampons and ice picks in hand. There were three guides, one of which was a Japanese man with the most incomprehensible New Zealand English accent. We tried ...

... it got darker, the light from the headlights made it quite dramatic! We got to Fox glacier and Sophie felt like driving on to Franz Josef, which is the glacier we wanted to hike. They are two separate glaciers but quite close to each other. But because it had been raining all day we didn't know whether we'd be able to hike it. We just had to wait and see!

22 May 2009 Franz Josef Glacier The days are hectic as you can see. However, up again at the crack of dawn to take in the Franz Josef Glacier - which along with Fox Glacier are - side by side - two of New Zealands many Glaciers and located in a world heritage site. We've elected to do ice climbing. Picked up at base, we join a group of randoms - all of whom are really sound - especially a young farmer from Luxembourg ...

... or take the helicopter ride - I decided the helicopter was better for an old lady!! It was fantastic - we landed on the glacier and walked on the snow really amazing views, so crisp and clear. Feet on the ground again I decided to go and explore Fox Glacier and area just half an hour away. On the way I took a detour to go to Lake Matheson, its beautiful and overlooked by Mount Tasman and Mount Cook, the mountains are reflected in the water ...

The first thing I noticed about Franz Josef was how peaceful the place was. The combination of cozy cafes on every corner offering hot chocolate by crackling fires and winter blankets with the beautiful misty mountainous surroundings was out of this world. It was like something you'd only see on postcards. Then there was the homely cabins the kiwi bus had dropped us off at where we were lucky enough to receive the emergency room. This supplied us with four ...

Jack: My Ribs still ache and it's raining. Well not really raining, there's so little space between raindrops that it's more like a the air has been turned into a lake. We drove, or floated, to Franz Joseph. The Haast pass had some interesting silver moss, or seaweed, and the Ironically named Trickle waterfall was more of a torrent, some of the ...