Blogs from Fox Glacier, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 3

Today we bid a fond fairwell to Queenstown. After a light breakfast, we once again were on the road heading towards the West Coast to Fox Glacier. We drove up over the mountains passing beautiful lakes, rivers, streams, livestock grazing in the fields. The scenery here is amazing. We stopped along the way to take photos and stopped at a wayside restaurant for lunch. After lunch, it didn't seem long at all befoe we arrived at the first sighting of Fox Glacier. It was a 10 minute walk down a path that gave a far off view of the glacier. In the distance we saw a car park which was a lot closer so we set off in that direction. Along the way, there were markers along the road which showed where the glacier had once ... read more

After a good meal in the White Pub at Fox Glacier we had a good night. I watched "The Man who moved Mountains" again on DVD to see where I had been and to review the next big field trip location - Pigeon Bush on the North Island. Woke to find the mist of last night had disappeared to leave a hot and beautiful summer's morning. Had breakfast outside to the sounds of the helicopters taking people up the glacier and someone singing 'White Christmas'. Being here and knowing that it is only 16 days to Christmas is very strange. And then a slight detour to Fox Glacier. A short walk up the valley from the car park takes you to the snout of the glacier and the zone of melting (ablation). From here all the ... read more

Well we went on the Shotover Jet Boat in Queenstown. The jet boat goes at a high speed through the canyons and all I can say is you think you are going to hit the side of the canyon - they then do 360 degree spins it was brilliant. All I can say is how are we going to get to feed our habit of being adrenaline junkies when we get home! Well we have left our little B&B in Queenstown and will miss the company of Michele and Fred and I will especially miss Fred’s legendary breakfasts. We also met a fabulous mum and daughter Kaiko and Erico at the B&B - they have moved off to Auckland where Erico is working and living at the moment. So on the road we went and thought ... read more

Wednesday 2nd May At 8.30 sharp we were over in the Fox Glacier Guiding office (just 2 min walk across the road from our campervan) to confirm our booking for the Heli-Hike up to the top of the glacier. They don't finalise your booking until the 'last minute' to ensure that all is well "up there" before your flight. We are quite impressed with the safety preparations and as Mary has never been in a chopper before she is a little apprehensive but also excited. This is not a cheap outing but we may never get the oportunity again, so what the hell! 8.50am and the flight is on. We all (about 15 of us Australian, German, French, Dutch, Canadian, Chinese and even a Kiwi!) then boarded an old (but refurbished retro) bus to run us ... read more

Hi Everyone We're well into our 18 day tour of New Zealand's South Island. Have picked out a few highlights to share. Hope you enjoy them. Remember to click on first photo to view all as a slide show in larger format. Please add a comment after the last photo if you wish. Cheers from Garry & Jan... read more