Blogs from Fox Glacier, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 7

Fox Glacier and Southern NZ Thur., Feb. 18th and Friday 19th We had a rainy drive from Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast and Glacier Land of NZ -however if you are going to have rain - better while you are driving than while you are doing the fun things. We were schedule to do a Heli-Hike of Fox Glacier, but morning today, Friday, Feb. 19th had clouds which grounded us, so we were able to add on the ground ascent of the Fox Glacier. Fox Glacier is one of 140 glaciers in NZ, but is fairly accessible. The base of the glacier is only a few miles from the ocean and ends in a Rain Forest - seems odd, we know. So we donned the special boots they included - like Marine boot camp boots ... read more

We left Wanaka headed for the glaciers via Haast pass - one of the most incredible scenic routes in NZ. We were expecting proper hairy driving but actually it was fine, as always - nice wide roads and a 25/35/55/65km/h warning before each bend - a fantastic idea so that you can gauge the turn. Apart from our customary mid-morning 'trim latte' stop (there is no semi skimmed here just full fat and 'trim') we didn't really stop until Lake Paringa. Loz has picked up a very useful 'taste New Zealand' guide and is seeking out some of the foodie hotspots. This one was a winner - a salmon farm in a random hamlet. We picked up a chunky piece of smoked salmon and a piece of fresh salmon for $6 (£3) each and had the ... read more

Action Tours annual trip to the South Island with 46 international students of all ages on board. Zane driving the bus and me trailing behind in the van. 6 days until take off. Its preparation time now - 2 Christmas cakes made and decorated. One with a bucket load of brandy poured over and the other without. All well organised and confirmed now but with 46+2 personalities on board we are going to have to handle it well. More prep tomorrow and a bit more cooking. ... read more

Helo pawb, Da ni heb ychwanegu blog ers sbel felly oeddwn i'n meddwl fod hi'n bryd i ni wneud! Ers y blog dwytha da ni wedi gadael De America. Cyn gadael mi oeddan ni ym Mhorth Madryn, Patagonia, a wedi mynechu'r Eisteddfod yn Nhrelew. Roedd hi'n 'save the best til last' fel sa'r sais yn i ddeud, oherwydd ym Mhatagonia gafodd y ddau ohona ni yr amser gora yn Ne America. Ym Mhorth Madryn mi oedd na lawer o yfad, (sori mam) lawer o hwyl i'w gael a llawer o anifeiliad gwyllt i'w weld. Er y diffyg cwsg ar ein noson dwytha ym Madryn (awr o gwsg i fi a dim i Nick) mi oedda ni wedi mynd ar drip i nofio gyda'r 'sea-lions.' Mi oedda nhw fel cwn bach oedd yn licio chwarae hefo'r pobl ... read more

You have seen the opening picture so you know what I did. I jumped out of a plane at 12,000 feet and plummeted at speeds of 120 mph (200km/h) towards the earth. What possessed me to do such a thing is a question you may ask. And that is a good question. Let me try to explain how this all came to be. Living and travelling in New Zealand has given me the opportunity to meet many people. Some adventurous, some less adventurous but many have taken the time to explain how they ended up sky diving and how much fun they had in the process. Secondly, this has been a challenge that I have set for myself. As everybody else can do it well why can't I? Saturday we had camped on the beach in ... read more