Blogs from Franz Josef, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 4

On arrival in Franz Josef we were told you could no longer walk up the glacier from the bottom after previous avalanches had killed people making it unsafe. The option they provided was to do the 'Ice Explorer' where you get a helicopter up to a safer part of the glacier and explore all of the caves and cracks etc from up there. However, it was $299 for the privilege so having already overspent we didn't do it. We chilled out that afternoon and it was the girls turn to cook so they made fajitas for us all. We again had pre drinks in the rooms and us lads were pretty smashed by the time we went down to the bar. It was a fluorescent party that night so loads of people were dressed in neon ... read more

Just said „Hello“ to Franz Josef (named for the Emperor of Austria-Hungary). To get to Franz you need to take a helicopter that costs at least 350 NZD. So I decided to visit only the edge of Franz glacier and to see what he is all about. It was marvellous crossing the areas that are not permitted for tourists. These areas are in danger because there are hazards like rocks falling apart.... read more

Long drive ahead as we are heading off to the Franz Josef glacier, on our way to Queenstown. We set off at 8.50. First stop brumby bakery. I noticed Nelson had one and it's where we picked up the cheese and vegemite rolls in Byron bay. So did the same again for a picnic breakfast enroute. Most people remember scenery, we remember bakeries! We headed out along the good old state highway 6 initially retracing our steps from the day before. After an hour we stopped at a lookout point for breakfast, though we weren't too impressed by the view (what do you think?) - think we may be getting a bit choosy with our views. On our way down we passed by Brunner gorge and decided to take a break as my guidebook informed me ... read more

Saturday November 23nd, 2013. Okarito, South Island, New Zealand Over dinner last night we had discussed our plans for today. D wanted to go kayaking on the lagoon in Okarito and M wanted to see the New Zealand White Heron (also in Okarito) and to book a safari to see Kiwi's in the wild. The Kiwi's found here are the very rare Okarito Brown Kiwi. This meant we would need more time so we booked another night in the hostel. After breakfast of toast, wheatbix, juice and tea/coffee we strolled down to the Franz Josef Tourist Office. In here we met a very nice girl from Leeds who explained where we could find the Kayaks in Okarito and also where we could find Iain - her mate who ran the Kiwi Safaris. We bought a walking ... read more

For every holiday there are a couple of things on a list that originally made you want to go to that particular place.... a new trail.... a new people or custom.... or in my case for this particular holiday, a new landscape. Something so far removed from my norm that it gets the imagination running. Something never before seen or experienced that it leaves you speechless, breathless and giddy with a the perceived freedom that comes with it. And it nearly didn't happen... When I arrived in Franz Joseph the clouds were rapped tightly around all the peaks making it almost appear like a misty plain. One of the main driving factors for me to visit New Zealand had been to get out on a glacier, preferably by helicopter (which I had also never been in), ... read more