Blogs from Franz Josef, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 46

Since our last couple of updates we can finally give you pictures of the amazing stuff we have done and seen. We have had a great time and cannot believe all the new things that we have done... We are now back in Rotorua at Karen's house, and whilst she is at work we are doing our chores! So back to the last week, where were we... After Franz Josef Glacier as we told you we went to Lake Wanaka. The morning after our first night was a fantastic day so we took the campervan and found a bay on the lake and parked up. We were the only souls there and we sat in the sunshine with our camper chairs and table and proceeded to spend the afternoon reading and relaxing looking at the mountains ... read more

The skies were clear, the air was crisp and I was prepared for my heli-hike on the Franz Josef glacier by wearing four layers! I was very snug indeed... My trip started off by sizing myself up with a waterproof jacket, socks and hiking boots with attatchable spiky talons. Feeling like the Michelin Man I boarded a white helicopter where I was very lucky to get the front seat - prime window view! We took off smoothly and made our way to the glacier, passing over lush green trees and lakes gleaming in the sunlight. It was a brilliant sight going round the corner and then seeing this magnificent glacier ahead of you. It looks like a gigantic avalanche, spilling its way in the direction of the ocean. I was quite overwhelmed at how huge it ... read more

It has barely stopped raining since we arrived in NZ, which is something of a shock to the system after a week in the tropics. However, on the plus side my sunburn is almost better. Christchurch was like a return to England, with village greens and craft fairs. The local pharmacy even stocked the full range of Boots No 7 cosmetics. Something we cannot even get in Brussels. Went to Kaikoura on Monday but unfortunately bad weather and rough sea conditions prevented us from whale watching and even the dolphins seemed to have decided to migrate somewhere warm. We did however see lots of seals and albatross and then spent the evening de-frosting at the Hanmer thermal springs, which were pretty fabulous. We also went to Akaroa on Wednesday, but again the weather meant that the ... read more

So I was in Wellington for a couple of days, which was enough really, although it's pretty nice. Best part was probably the museum which was huge and had loads about the history of NZ and the Maoris as well as an earthquake simulator and the Lord of the Rings exhibition which was pretty cool even for a non film geek like me. So enough of museums and it was time to go to the South island where all the fun is supposed to be (if it's better than the North then it must be awesome). I arrived in the South Island after a few hours on the ferry, which was pretty uneventful, and went straight inland a bit towards Nelson. Nelson is a nice little town not far from Abel Tasmin National Park where there ... read more

Well even though the trip from the north island to the south island took us from east to west it certainly seems a lot colder here. After departing the ferry Friday afternoon in Picton we drove west to Nelson, one of the major wine regions in the country. However no wine tasting for us. Unfortunately, that night we choose what was probably our worst hostel yet, in a creepy old house from a horror movie kind of way…it wasn’t awful but a little run down and a little dirty, plus it was supposed to have free internet but that wasn’t working. Saturday morning we got some information on the nearby Abel Tasman National Park, then we wandered around the city of Nelson and did a quick heritage walk before departing to Takaka where we would stay ... read more