Arthur's Pass, Bouldering and Franz Joseph

Trip Start Nov 03, 2007
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5
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Trip End Dec 07, 2007


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Thursday, November 8, 2007

Started drive out to Arthurs Pass. Down through Christchurch again and out. Down to 3/4 tank diesel, filled up for $24.50.
Got to Arthurs Pass really early, stopped for a sandwich and brewed a cuppa. Saw our first Kea. Look like they're really cheeky and not at all scared of us humans.
Arthurs pass is just awesome. Mountains are still holding snow on the tops and it was a fabulous drive through north.

Went past a huge field full of huge boulders. Saw a couple of guys with bouldering mats so I (Rich) got my rock boots out and had a play for half an hour. Fi did arty photos while I was "MESSING ABOUT".

Got to Hokatika in plenty of time too so we decide to push on further towards Franz-Joseph where we've got a heli flight round Mt Cook booked for tomorrow Maybe it was all a dream...
Maybe it was all a dream...
 . Rich got a speeding ticket just before a place called Hari-Hari. Really annoyed since he was following a car doing the same speed. $80 fine. Bugger.
Got all the way to Franz-Joseph and got into the Rainforest Retreat $34 for the night.
Had the fish special at the local eatery, was groper (?). Really nice, if a bit posh. Pumpkin mash as well.
End kms today was 537, a long driving day. Fi did a lot of the big road driving and even got talked into driving some of the twisties down into Franz-Joseph.

Changed heli-flight from 15:30 to 10:30 to get better weather (advised from the heli trip place).

 
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