Blogs from Glaciers, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 6

The routine nature of working in the hotel means that when I get a rostered-day-off, I make as much effort as possible to 'get away', explore the rest of Fox Glacier, and discover more about the surrounding area. I have travelled north for over two and a half hours, to the nearest large town of Hokitika to visit a glassblowing studio, driven 15km along Cook Flat Road to reach Gillespies Beach, and taken many photographs around the beautiful Lake Matheson. Famous for its perfect reflections, Lake Matheson is often referred to as the most picturesque lake in the world. Each time I go the weather conditions create a different atmosphere. I am usually woken early to the sound of helicopters in Fox (flying up to check the weather conditions of the glacier) and keas. Keas are ... read more

hey everyone, There will be some overlap here between mine and marcs blogs, he is sitting next to me now writing but it's been such an ace last few days that i have to have my say too! from my last blog.......Only spent a couple of days in Christchurch but really liked the place, it was so english it was unbelievable. Especailly hanging around with such fine examples of english gentlemen as Tom and Marc. Spent a day wandering round looking in the museum and sitting in parks and feeling very arty drinking capacchinos in cool little cafes. After an educational evening watching jelly wrestling and meeting people with very interesting career choices we got up early to drive over Arthurs Pass to head right from the east to the west. I got to do most ... read more

So we survived the white water rafting, then braved the bungy... thinking this was the most horiffic thing in the world.... no!! Try the 'Sound' flight from Wellington (North) to Picton(South)!! Good lord alive!! Forget any rolercoaster... this was the worst!! 25 minutes of sheer hell!! Swooping and being blown around like a leaf in the air, dropping 50m in 1 second in an air pocket in a tiny 13 seater tin can! Never have any of us been so horiffically unprepared for such an ordeal. Genuine screams from Natalie and Luke, whereas myself and Amy were to scared to even make a noise! We had marks on the back of our hands from holding on to each other so tightly! Of course the 5 year old child behind us was fine about it!! Damn kids!! ... read more

There's a picture here of the view across the lake at Queenstown. I paid the duck five dollars to pose for me. Also a swing bridge on the Copland Track. This began near Fox Glacier on the West Coast and took a day following a valley through rainforest crossing many fast flowing streams, some of which had these bridges, and reached a pint where there was a hut to stay in. Near it were some geothermal pools which were surprisingly hot. We were able to lie in them that evening under the stars! The next day we had to walk back along the same route and it poured with rain all the way. (Hence the rainforest).... read more

OK... After spending two hours putting new pictures onto the blog, I'm hungry for lunch, so this will be short... Check out the pictures by going back through our old entries since New Years. You have to actually open the full entry to view all of the pictures, though they will show you some pictures when you click on "list all entries". Let us know if you have any questions, otherwise, we hope you enjoy :-) !!!! Yesterday we went on a glacial hike in the Franz Joseph Glacier. It was absolutely stunning!!! The glacier is HUGE and very, well, cold. Here are some of our pictures from the trip. We love and miss you all!!!! Abby and Benji... read more