Blogs from Nelson, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 20

Ian.. Indeed, it turned out just as we had feared. The deluge that accompanied us up to Franz-Joseph stayed with us while we were there. Rachael mumbled something about it never raining on glaciers or they’d melt, but I wasn’t willing to risk it as the last thing I fancied was spending a day up to my knees in water that had been cooled by glaciers. With our minds made up, we were just getting ready to leave when we bumped into Bob and Kath from the Milford track walk - it’s a small country when you’re all travelling in the same direction! They had been up on the glacier the day before and confirmed that it was wet up there, so I am glad we decided as we did. We set off to the accompaniment ... read more

I'm spending the day relaxing in Nelson. Stayed in bed until 9.30am - a record for this trip!! And I enjoyed every minute of it. SInce I last wrote I have spent two days 'tramping' through rainforest ('bush'), up the Copland track. I was determined to spend at least one night staying out in a DOC hut - and it was worth it. The route was 17km through forest, and along the Copland river. Then several km up a mountain, to a clearing called the Welcome Flat. The views up here were (yet again) spectacular - lots of snow capped mountains. The highlight was natural hot springs with a mountain view. The best thing in the world after 7 hours of walking - like getting into a hot bath. ALmost perfect. Apart from the sand flies. ... read more

Early start (7:30) and caught an old kiwi experience bus down to the docks to catch the ferry. Heading for the South Island today and with so many people having finished their trips in wellington there are many new faces (At least the bus is a bit fuller now with almost 45. We had only 25 before). Caught the ferry (rather ;arge and not unlike the cross channel ones) and after a short while started the 3 hour journey tom Picton. Managed to sleep some of the way and read the paper. We all went out on deck after 1h30 to view the beautiful scenery that is Queen Charlotte sound. It was really nice and it was suprising how close we got to the mountains and islands. In a short space of time we arrived at ... read more

Got here around two hours ago, was very tired and grumpy from coach journey and last night, however the hostel is really nice, and we're here for 2 nights, so actually get chance to get unpacked and had a shower before coming into town to buy new flip flops (very annoyed have left mine in river valley) but actually worked out OK as the nice lady in the shop gave me a replacement man-bag as mine is now knackered. Yes. My new flip flops are brown. Came into internet place to update this, and am now going to have roast dinner and apple crumble for a fiver, then one glass of wine, and go to bed very very early in my nice clean sheets. Sweet. Tomorrow am up at 7 to go on a trip around ... read more

I spent a few nights in Christchurch arranging for a rental car and getting things in order - shipped a few Sout Pole Pint glasses home and caught up on some good food. My second night at the Devon Hotel was spent on the Inn Keeper's floor. Sandy didnt have any available room for Saturday night but she let me crash anyway. My friends from SFO, Sam and Jenny, got into Christchurch on Sunday and were shocked to see me there waiting for them. We didnt think we were going to catch each other but my early flight out of McMurdo put me in Christchurch at just the right time. The three of us roamed around mostly eating and drinking our way through town and taking naps in between. We went to the Volcano in Lyttleton ... read more