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Published: November 10th 2008
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Canyon Swing
Alan about to take his second canyon swing - backwards. Friday Alan threw himself off a cliff today. Twice. The day started early for Alan as he headed up to Shotover Canyon for a canyon swing. The swing starts at the top of a 109 metre high cliff edge. After 60 metres of freefall, reaching around 150kph, you start to swing out over the Shotover River. Alan enjoyed the first jump so much, he did it again. If you want to watch the video (6.5Mb each), check out -
Swing 1: http://rapidshare.com/files/161400174/Alan_Canyon_Swing_1.mp4
Swing 2: http://rapidshare.com/files/161400392/Alan_Canyon_Swing_2.mp4
After the canyon swing, Alan met up with Mel and Dave for a wander around Queenstown before we all jumped on a bus to Glenorchy - about 40 minutes north of Queenstown - where we boarded a jet boat for a trip up the Dart River. These high powered boats travel at upto 75kph in water less than a metre deep. The water was crystal clear in places and in others cloudy from the rock flour brought down from the glaciers. Our driver, Dion, raced us past rock out crops and spun us in 360 degree circles that showered us with icy water from the river. Fantastic fun.
Once the jet boat
Lake Wakatipu
Dave looking out across Lake Wakatipu, somewhere between Queenstown & Glenorchy ride was over, we were taken on a walk through the World Heritage listed forest. Our guide Iain lead us through beech tree groves. While the forest was logged about a hundred years ago, there was one red beech tree that was nearly 900 years old. These trees become hollow on the inside as they age and Mel was able to actually get inside the tree and see all the way to the top. We were also introduced to the horopito or pepper tree. The leaves of this tree can be eaten and provide a wonderful peppery taste that intensifies, even after you have spit out the chewed leaf. The Maori used the leaf for a variety of purposes, including curing toothache. Iain then showed us a replica Maori hunting camp before driving us back to Glenorchy for a late lunch.
Once back in Queenstown we decided to head out to the Minus 5 bar with Cassie, Erin & Merici. As the name suggests, the bar is maintained at a temperature of between -5 and -10 degrees celsius. Dressed in very stylish polar jackets and woolen gloves, we drank Vodka cocktails from glasses made of ice. Our breath steamed
Dart River
The mountains in the background are the same ones that were used for the background for the Tower of Isengard in Lord of the Rings. in the frosty air as we checked out the ice sculptures but after half an hour our time was up. Dave partied on with Erin and Cassie, while the rest of us headed back to the hotel.
Saturday Another early start. Dave looks a little seedy from his night on the town. He can speak - if you count grunts as speech - and is looking forward to sleeping some more on the bus. Today we are leaving Queenstown for the west coast and the Fox glacier. Most of the day was spent on the bus heading through Wanaka, Hawea and then into the Mount Aspiring National park. We crossed the Southern Alps via the Haast Pass and saw waterfalls spilling down open fault lines.
The day was fine and sunny with spectacular views and mountain lakes. We kept expecting to get tired of it but never did. We hoped that the weather would continue to hold so that we could take a helicopter trip out over the glaciers but the weather didn't last. Cloud cover blew in from the northwest and the helicopters weren't flying by the time we arrived at Fox Glacier.
We soothed our
Beech Forest, Dart River
World Heritage listed beech forrest in the Mt Aspiring National Park. disappointment with drinks in the bar - excellent prices. Mel and Alan took a walk through the rain forest while Dave continued to take advantage of the cheap drinks and open fire.
The rain forest was beautiful. Cool green ferns and towering moss covered trees with a crystal clear stream running through it. The photos we took don't do it justice. It reminded us of the tropical rainforests of Queensland but without the heat and humidity. It is one of the unique features of the Fox & Franz Josef glaciers that they terminate in rain forest.
Back to the hotel. Fingers crossed for clear skies tomorrow morning.
Sunday Today we had our earliest wake-up call yet but, for once, we weren't complaining. Looking out the window before the sun arose it was difficult to tell if the sky was clear. But all was revealed as we ate breakfast and the realisation that we were about to fly up to the glacier hit.
Airports have a way of making you feel like cattle - being herded from one place to another. But the heliport was even better... we all had to go through the humilation of finding
Fault Line Waterfall
This waterfall falls through a fault line. out how much those fantastic meals had increased our waists so that we could be allocated a flight. There's nothing like watching a bloke with a calculator frantically deciding by your "number" which flight you would take and who would be your companions.
We packed into our respective choppers - Alan and Mel together - Dave in an earlier flight with Erin and Cassie. Before take-off there was a hint that the weather gods would determine if we could land on the glacier. As we ascended the mountain the sky became clearer and it was announced that we would land on the glacier for an opportunity to wander on 300 m of packed ice.
Alan and Mel stepped out onto the crusty snow surface and wandered about chatting with the pilot. Dave, whose chopper landed in another spot had a similar opportunity to experience the glacier. After 10 minutes we all hopped back onto the helicopters for a fly-over of the Franz Josef glacier and landing in the township of Franz Josef. It was an exhilirating experience and there were smiles all round - thoroughly recommended to anyone that is hesitating over the cost.
After the highs
Fox Glacier Rain Forest
The rain forest along the Minnehaha Walk just outside Fox Glacier. of the helicopter ride we settled on the bus for our final day of the tour. We continued to make our way up the west coast of the south island towards Greymouth. The scenary is lush and mountainous with the odd little lakes here and there. Occasionally we were treated with a view of the Tasman Sea (and an offer to swim our way home).
On arrival in Greymouth we had lunch at a greenstone factory and then made our way to the trainstation to catch the Tranz-Alpine from Greymouth to Christchurch. The scenary on the train was spectacular, although obscured by the heavy rain. Alan, Mel and Dave left the train and the tour group in Springfield to be met by Mark and Michelle. We all had dinner at Bec and Keith's place in Darfield and then back to Mark and Michelle's for a well deserved nights sleep with the prospect of a long awaited sleep-in the following morning.
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