Franz Josef
Trip Start
Sep 02, 2007
1
154
326
Trip End
May 13, 2009
Franz Josef,
South Island,
New Zealand
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
We drove to Franz Josef without incident. The scenary is finally starting to get to the levels I was hoping for, Iced caped mountains, rough chopy seas and then the Glacier - the Franz Josef Glacier - it looks cool!
We turned up lateish after our drive, we slily bought Ed a birthday cake and candles and a load of wine.
We had a great night out. We all had roast pork and all bought Ed 90% Absynth to get him kickstarted. We presented the cake at the end of the meal and ed Blew out the candles. Then our secret plan came into action. Dean grabed the Camera, Lee grabed the cake and thrust it into Eds face - it was one of the funiest moments ive ever seen - the sheer look of terror/suprise on Eds face was great
Eds B'day Videos - V FUNNY!
! Then we went back to the Spaceship for a big sing song with the guitar while we polished off a lot of red wine and a botle of sparkling stuff. We then headed into town, played pool, drank more beer and had a great night chating with other travelers and climbing up lap dancing poles - I know - weird.
Lee and Dean set up camp in the corner of a carpark and we all slept - for a mere 5 hours only.
Yesterday I woke everyone up early - Ed and I have spent the entire day on the Franz Josef Glacier, hiking on the Glacier was absolutly amazing. The colours of blue, the vista from the top and everything was amazing amazing!
It cost 50 quid but it was worth it, the guide was only 19 but he was so laid back and we all got to do our own thing prety much on the way - it was so enjoyable and without question the best thing I have done in NZ to date. It is the steepest Glacier in the world so it is hard work but once at the top you see the shere size of the thing - it is intimidating and I only wishg I had enough money for the helicopeter ride over the top of it - that would have been stuning
Eds B'day Videos - V FUNNY!
!We then had a chance to jump into a icy pool. No one volenered so I peer presured Ed into it and we both striped down and jumped in - it was painfuly cold. The 1str sensation is nothing - and then your body realises what is going on. AND U PANICK! Then the tour guide puls you out to the still freezing Glacier and you rush to get changed before walking down to the bottom - freezing cold and driping wet for the next 2 hours! It was amazing though and im so glad I did it.
We headed back and hoped into the hostel we are not staying at for a sauna and then a shower, we are heading out with our glacier walking group tonight and maybe also seeing some glow worms - should be a cool evening.
Today:
Another day, Another Glacier - Fox Glacier!
