Blogs from West Coast, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 37

Leaving the south we spent a couple of days driving back up into the Southern Alps through some spectacular mountain passes. We seemed to stop every twenty minutes at viewpoints or to hike up to waterfalls, each more impressive that the previous but the highlight was hiking up to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier as well as seeing Franz Josef Glacier from "Sentinal Rock" (well worth the climb). Leaving the Alps we visited several goldmining towns (Okarito, Ross, Hokitika) and the splendidly reconstructed "Shantytown" (a collection of old buildings brought together to form a tourist attraction and historical monument). There we were also pleased to see our first Weka (a NZ ground bird). On saturday, we stopped at the "Pancake Rocks" at Punakaiki , walked on the cliffs at Cape Foulwind and stopped for ... read more

This morning I saw my first New Zealand snow-capped mountain. It was probably there last night when we stopped at the road side motel where every Kiwi Experience bus has its night of comarade (including dinner, themed dress up and flowing bar beverages) - however, visibility the past day and half or so was shite. Overcast, grey, cold and wet. But that's the West Coast of New Zealand for ya. It is in fact well know for its rugged conditions, isolation and notorious beatings by volatile weather patterns. As for me (and the rest of the bus), we are now in Franz Josef. It is a very small town from where travellers depart for their various glacier experiences - that's right, glaciers. Yes, just two days ago I was still working on my tan! However, I ... read more

Dear all, I saw a flea in my bed last night. Still, not a bad tradeoff for learning the best bread recipe ever and how to make Ritz worthy beds. PICTURES But before I launch into my overdue journal, please take a peek back at my last entry for pictures that I posted for real this time. They're about a week or so old, but hey, I'm in the boonies and technology is hard to access. RAINFOREST ROUTINE Yes, the boonies. I'm becoming domesticized. The calm pace of this past week has been a far cry from the frenzy of the start of my journey. My heart almost leaped out of my throat when I noticed the gaping void in my bank account left from recreational indulgences. I realized, ya know what, it's time to ... read more

So New Zealand is truly amazing...I know I said that last time...but this place really is. Around every corner there is a breathtaking view. Tobias and I are literally, stopping every 10 minutes when we drive to take more pics. There is no way that I could post even a 10th of the photos on here! Since my last update we have done tons of hikes (tramps) at least 3 a day (unless we do a big one). I have slept in the car 3 times. Our tent does not do well in rain or heavy wind; and we seem to run across those two things a night a lot around here. I will say that we have still been camping (or at least attempting for part of the night) in absolutely beautiful places....none (save 1) ... read more

Today I am in a town called Franz Jozef, that is not so much a town, mainly a tourism center for trips to the neighbouring glacier. If you wonder how come it has this name, it was named like that by an Austrian guy (its European "discoverer"), aparently it reminded him of the emperor's white beard!!! Earlier today, I actually walked on this glacier. Yesterday it rained all day but this morning looked promising. We walked over the valley, put on the ice-talonz (a metal piece you put on the shoe to help you walk on the ice), started to climb, and then the rain started... and it rained and rained and rained. Still we followed our guide that was carving stairs for us as we walked. It was amazing. Some "staircases" are really impressive, and ... read more