Blogs from Franz Josef, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 2

Franz Josef Glacier We continued through the town, across the Waiho River to the car park of the glacier. Unfortunately, the glacier has receded so much, we didn't have time to walk to the face. It's on my list of places to go when I come back to NZ next time. Franz Josef Glacier Village There was plenty of time before I had to be back at the hotel for dinner, so I went for a walk Franz Josef Glacier Village Fire Station Our Lady of the Alps Church St James Historic Church Waiho River I headed back to town, had dinner at the hotel and fell into a very comfy bed - I'd stay at the Scenic Franz Josef again! ... read more

Having the most hours sleep in one night for months I'm feeling surprisingly groggy as I set off to the meet up place at Glacier Kayaking's office along the street from my hostel. When I arrive I'm given an iPad tablet and have to fill in a health and safety/information questionnaire before being introduced to bearded Canadian Colin, one of our guides for the morning, who drives us to the lake we'll be kayaking on, Mapourika. Lawrence our other guide is already there setting up the equipment. We are an all female group, four kiwi friends, four Germans and me. As we are an odd number a volunteer is required to paddle solo, one of the German girls steps forward. And then the pairs have to decide who will be in charge of the foot pedal ... read more

We waren enkele dagen uit de lucht. Het komt nog voor: geen telefoon, geen internet. Aan het eind van de wereld bij Jackson Bay. Op 11 januari hebben we nog een makkelijke wandeling gedaan in Wanaka: langs de rivier de Clutha. De dag daarop zijn we doorgereden naar Haast. Onderweg weer enkele stops gemaakt. In Haast zijn we 2 nachten gebleven. Haast stelt niet zo veel voor: een afslag van de doorgaande weg met een paar huizen, een supermarkt en enkele hotels. Wel aan zee. Als je die afslag neemt en dan zo'n 50 km langs de kust rijdt kom je in Jackson Bay. Daar kun je niet verder. Alsof de wereld stil heeft gestaan. Een "lazy" sfeertje. Hiervandaan kun je een intensieve wandeling maken over een pad dat meermalen een stroompje passeert. Geen bruggetjes. Zie ... read more

Dean jumped in the driver's seat, much to the girl's dismay, for the trip to Franz Josef. Winding our way up the mountains, past Coronet Peak (where the girls relived their skiing adventures once again) and with sensational views across to the Remarkables, we said goodbye to Queenstown and hello to glacier country. With no radio reception, the soundtrack accompanying our journey had the girls reaching for their headphones. The three CDs purchased at the Queenstown Salvos (from a VERY ORDINARY collection, mind you) were not worth the $6 we forked out. 'Rule Britannia - 40 years of great British music' could also be renamed as '11 bands you know playing 11 songs you don't'. That particular CD had the girls almost declaring a mutiny. The Tony Bennett & k. d. Lang 'wonderful world, sing-a-long of ... read more

But if you're making the long drive down the West Coast, Franz Josef or Fox Glacier are reasonable stops to avoid driving all day. The hike to the base of the glacier is nice but heavily trafficked, since it's so easy. The town is quaint but there's not much to do. The Franz Josef Glacier looks incredible but you can't walk right up to it or pay a reasonable fee to walk on it on a tour that provides equipment. Because the glacier is quickly receding, the only way to do a tour is by taking an expensive helicopter that lands in a safer spot.... read more