Wanaka to Franz Josef Glacier

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Left Wanaka in crystal clear and sunny conditions - skirting along the edge of the beautiful Lake Hawea - then climbing through the Haas pass as the weather changed completely to dull with occasional rain. There are very few human habitations on the way. We passed along the coast and stopped to finish our sandwiches by the sea as the waves crashed in. At Fox Glacier village after a coffee we sidetracked up for a view of the Fox glacier, which was surprisingly clear through a gap in the low cloud. On to Franz Josef and booked in to the Montrose Backpackers. Only en-suite rooms available so a little above our budget - but again the luxury of a telly. They've even got a free DVD and video collection. The clouds parted slightly to reveal some sunlit mountains so we sped up to the glacier for a quick look. However after a distant view the clouds descended again so we didn't stay long.

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