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Published: November 17th 2008
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Well it was getting to the point where we thought the only way left was downhill, but it turns out New Zealand still had amazing adventures in store for us! The day after our Queenstown adventure we got on the road for the day, our final destination being Fox Glacier. However in New Zealand, no driving day is ever boring, and some stunning scenery awaited us even in the rain. The first stop of the day was Wanaka, time for the daily coffee and cake break! We also went for a wonder and Agatha found some wonderful lamb at the farmers market. From here it was a drive through Aspiring National Park, another place Ian and I will hopefully get to see some more off. This is another large range of mountains, with wonderful rivers following through and amazing waterfalls. Our first stop here was Gates of Haast, this is a stunning river with some huge boulders sitting in it, you can't believe something so beautiful has a road bridge over it! We then took a stop just a couple of minutes later at Thudercreek falls, and even though it was cold and raining, Agatha and Jan's eyes lit up, as
they took their shoes and socks off, rolled up their trousers and went for a paddle in the river! There were some amazing coloured rocks, so Wim took lots of photos, whilst me and Ian could not stop laughing!
We then arrived in Fox, we camped up for the night avoiding the rain and hoping our heli-hike we had booked for the next day would be running. We woke to blue but slightly cloudy skies, so were unsure whether we would fly, but we put on our hiking gear and headed over to the office, they confirmed there was a gap in the cloud and we would fly. Jan, Agatha and Wim had all been in a helicopter before but for Ian and I this was our first heli flight! What a view, the 17km Glacier stretched out below us, surrounded by snow capped peaks. We then touched down on the ice, with brilliant blue skies and ice surrounding us! What a trip we (well I) bounced round in crampons, and we all slide through Ice caves, and drank glacial waters and munched on ice (oh and chocolate!). It makes you feel so small and insignificant as this giant
mound of ice dwarfs everything (except the mountains) in sight. The formations and colours of the ice are incredible. After a couple of hours of trampling around the news came over the radio that the heli pilots were not liking the approaching cloud, so we all smiled at the thought of a night in this wilderness, however it wasn't too be and unfortunately the helicopter arrived and took us back to the foot of the mountain safely. We then spent the afternoon in the blazing hot sun; drinking beer, taking Agatha to the doctor (a chest infection - we all blame the paddling in the freezing water however she insists it felt warm!) and taking a short drive to Lake Matheson. Lake Matheson was not as the postcards though as due to the cloud we did not see the view of the reflection of Mt Cook. We then went out for dinner before retiring for the night.
The next few days we decided it was time to take things easy, first stop was a slight different view of the glacier from the bottom, we saw a group going on a hike and they looked like tiny ants against the
site of the front of the glacier. We then started our drive along the west coast, first stop was Franz Josef glacier village, here we had the coffee and cake morning stop! We then went onto Hokitika, however just before here we stopped at a beautiful lake for lunch. In Hokitika, we saw some jade carvings being made, Wim made a special Christmas purchase for Agatha, and we got acquainted with some giant eels and kiwis! Then on we went to Greymouth, for our evenings stop. Here we stayed at a campsite on the beach, and Wim took some wonderful photos of the sunset so you’ll have to ask him to see them. We all enjoyed a walk on the beach, and all but Wim had a good bouncy on a jumping pillow. Agatha fell off though, but that kept us (and her) smiling for some time after - she did it with such grace!
The next morning we drove to the pancake rocks, and by sheer luck we arrive at the right time for the blowholes to put on a wonderful display for us as well. The pictures say it all! From here we headed south and took
Arthur’s Pass back towards Christchurch. For our last night with Ian's family in their camper we stopped at a camping site in Arthur’s pass. Here we had many friendly Kea, wonderful scenery, and some of the longest trains you have ever seen passing along the track behind us during the night (well so they tell me I slept through it!)
The next morning we continued along the pass, had our morning coffee and cake stop, and arrived at the Antarctic Centre at lunch time. Agatha packed the van ready for its 5pm return we made a few quick sandwiches before we went and met the little blue penguins. In the centre we learnt all about the Antarctic programmes, experienced a storm (it was -18 degrees C), and learnt about penguins and saw them being fed. Also we all went on an all terrain vehicle ride, and I think Agatha had the most fun, mind you I think she doubled our fun getting to watch her! We went up steep hills with big gaps at the top, and passed through a giant deep puddle, and generally got thrown around lots - it was one ride where the handle they give
you are actually required! They then returned their camper, and we met them in the evening for dinner. Another lovely meal out, Wim and Jan had the Beast and the beast it was (a big chunk of beef)! Then for the next couple of days we ambled round Christchurch - getting to know the good beer stops and ice cream stall! Then on Saturday afternoon, we took Ian's family of to the airport and waved them good bye! However it won’t be long now we return home on the 25th Feb - so see you then!
It was then time for us to fend for just the two of us again; we had a day off on Sunday we ambled round the local shopping centre, and did some washing, whilst I got on with recovering from the foreign flu Agatha passed on. Then today we got our camera fixed - the new one had a splodge on the lens, you’ll notice it in some pictures, and then we headed to Fairlie for the night to update our blog on the free internet. However, NZ is never a boring place to be, to add to all our other recent freak
weather we both experienced our first ever golf ball sized hail storm. They were so big all cars including trucks and an ambulance pulled of the main highway and put their windscreens into bushes/ trees for cover to stopped them getting damaged. No cars went up or down the highway for a couple of minutes until it eased. No major damage for us just a couple of extra chips, we were lucky compared to the guy that pulled into a ditch rather than a bush - he will be requiring a tow out! Tomorrow it is back to Queenstown and maybe on Monday we will start work - our plan is to weed in some local vineyards so till next time........
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