West Coast and the Heli Hike

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We arrived to the West Coast in more rain with the promise of sunshine (although nobody was really very optimistic). We have stayed in a town called Hokitika which is a small town famous for Jade carvings. We decided to stop for a few days here as we are getting a bit tired moving around so much. We have stayed at a lovely holiday park with log cabins which is right on the beach front with lovely views of the Tasman Sea.

At last the weather has turned and we have had some lovely sunny days. We managed to do the heli hike at Franz Josef glacier on Saturday, it is very weather dependant and apparently the trip has not been for three weeks due to the weather!

The heli hike was really good. We went in a helicopter up the face of the glacier and right over the top, it was amazing. It is like the top of the world up there with totally untouched snow, quite mystical too as there were still some clouds around the mountain peaks. We then landed on the ice and took a two hour hike with a guide. It was fantastic. It is so weird to be out on a giant (moving) piece of ice with all the peaks and it looks so blue. Our guide was really good and we managed to see some blue ice caves, go through an ice tunnel and see some lovely waterfalls and pools. At one point we nearly lost him when he was trying to remove a large ball of ice from above so it was safe to pass and it fell towards him when he wasn’t expecting it. He looked well scared as it only just missed him!

We are moving on tomorrow up to Blenheim and then catch the ferry on Friday to spend a few more days in the North Island before going to Adelaide (can’t wait!!!) next Thursday.

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Photos

Franz Josef Glacier
From the Helicopter

Franz Josef Glacier
Looking up the face of the Glacier

Ice Away!!
This was the piece of Ice that nearly hit our guide

It is hard work being a Glacier Guide
Building some steps for us

Comments

[Paula]

Hiya
Hi Kerst and Sven, I have finally had the time to look, read and take in all your entries and piccies. They are fab, you will definitely not want to get back to work after all this it sounds brilliant. San Fran looks great. What a shame you did not like NY pity. Still NZ looks to be where you enjoyed the most. Bet you are looking forward to oz now and shattered from travelling. Where are you for Xmas ? Much love Paula and Nick xxxxx