Lake Matheson

Glaciers

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July 1st 2008
We set out from Wanaka in pouring down rain, aiming for the West Coast. The West Coast is apparently the wettest place in New Zealand, so we were pleasantly suprised to pass over the mountain range and descend into glorious sunshine! The drive up the coast was pretty spectacular, it's the Tasman Sea which is one of the roughest seas in the world, so all along you have massive crashing waves which ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Franz Josef

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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year... ... read more