Oh, the mighty Franz Josef glacier
Trip Start
May 07, 2008
1
14
17
Trip End
May 20, 2008
Franz Josef,
South Island,
New Zealand
Monday, May 19, 2008
Natalie grabbed a packed lunch and we headed off to the glaciers. We drove through Fox Glacier (about 90mins drive) and kept going to Franz Josef. After checking into our hotel, we walked to the main street (2 mins) and found "Full of Beans" where we grabbed a quick bite and a coffee. We then split. Natasha found a shuttle that would take her to the bottom of the glacier where she could walk as much or as little as she liked.....she also found a few walking tracks. Only one problem: her "walking boots" were in fact steel cap work boots and not up to challenge; Natasha then changed into sneakers and found the local pub!
Natalie was booked on a 1/2 day glacier walk
first view of Franz Josef Glacier,,,
. 5 hours, 8 kms later (1.5 hours walk over rocks to the glacier; 1.5 hours walk up the glacier with spikes on her fantastic hiking boots; 1 hr back down the glacier and 1 hr back to the bus)......she was utterly exhausted. The asthma kicked in pretty early on, but she pushed through and made it to walking on the glacier......one of the most memorable experiences ever! To celebrate, we found The Landing, and enjoyed "handles" of Speights Distinction beer and gourmet pizzas (Natalie brie, camembert and chicken; Natasha cajun chicken).....the best pizzas ever!!!!!!! We then stumbled home, watched a little tv and were both fast asleep by 8pm.
