Blogs from Franz Josef, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 36

We arrived in the beautiful Franz Josef with an afternoon to spend on an activity of our choice. Unfortunately I was full of cold and so decided I had to give the Glacier climb a miss. Instead I decided to take it easy with some kayaking on the lake. The views were stunning and it was a great way to see the area. Check out the pictures.... read more

After the 5 hour drive, we checked into Glowworm hostel, where we got a family room with a t.v. and I secured the double bed (only fair seeing as Will always gets the nice bed). The next day, rising early and feeling fresh, we made our way to the Glacier Walk Centre, this time with blue skies and sunshine, and not a hint of rain. In fact, it was probably the best day weather wise we'd had in New Zealand so far! The walk to the base of the Glacier this time didn't involve walking through knee-deep rivers, but was much more enjoyable. When we got to the base, we split into 4 different ability groups (we chose the fastest paced) and put on our crampons and headed up what can only be described as a ... read more

Named after the Austrian Emperor at the time it was first explored by some Austrian dude, Franz Josef is most famous for its Glacier and scenic skydiving. Personally I'd have named it after myself rather than the Emperor of my country. We were booked in for the skydive and glacier walk the following day but sadly the weather wasn't good enough for the skydive. On the way to Franz Josef, hungover Chris, Will and I decided to get a fry up in the bushman's museum, and Dan went to the museum and missed out on the fry up. He did get to see a big old pig though, while we were probably eating its cousin. We actually weren't as in Australia and New Zealand, and from previous experience, in South East Asia, it is almost impossible ... read more

Hi folks us again (you must be fed up of us by now), Anyway since my very exciting time in Nelson we have moved on again. We left Nelson and headed for the west coast of NZ. This is a place where lets just say there is not much about other than the most amazing scenery you have ever seen. The west coast is very isolated and remote due the conditions it faces. The weather when we hit the coast was just unreal. You thought it rained in England well I have never seen rain like it!!!! Along the way we stopped off on the coast where we saw a seal colony and then a place they call pancake rocks and guess what they looked just like pancakes. Unfortunatley the rain was so bad we ... read more

Hey! Firstly, thanks to all those who wrote comments! For some reason I had entirely missed them yet was reading the messages - what a dope! Will be replying soon (hopefully right after this if the time doesnt run out!) Secondly - the sun has been out all day today - hooray! It's gorgeous! Since my last entry I have had picnic lunch at a lakeside in Nelson Lakes National Park, been horse riding for the first time in 7 years (at Buller gorge) - (I am still very sore!!), spent the night at Westport, the next daystopped at Punaki (may be spelt wrong) to see the pancake rocks and then experienced the traditional Kiwi Experience Poo Pub Party at a Manipua (spelt bit wrong!) Everyone who travels the South Island with Kiwi experiences the ... read more