From Sunny Coastlines to Rainy Glaciers

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Me again!
Just arrived at Franz Joseph where some of the worlds most spectacular glaciers lie. We had a tour booked for this morning but unfortunately the weather was too bad to hike the glaciers. It's rainy really badly here and has been since last night but that didn't stop us doing up a big tasty BBQ last night!

After our few days in Nelson we travelled down to some place beginning with P that I can't pronounce and daren't try spell. The drive down was amazing, it was windy coastal roads most of the way but it was really spectacular, you could be at the top of a mountain one minuet and driving through rain forests the next, we even got to stop and go seal spotting at a colony along the way. Anyway we eventually arrived in this teeny tiny village right on the edge of the Tasman sea and stayed in a lovely cheap cabin there overlooking the sea and boy was the sea rough...jagged coast and towering waves kind of stuff. The place is famous for its pancake rocks and blowholes which along with the homely pub (just about the only thing in the village) provided us with some entertainment before we continued our journey down the west coast.

Our next stop was Hokitika which was a total ghost town, it looked like something out of a 1960s horror film and you were kind of half expecting to see reels of hay rolling down the deserted streets. We managed to find comfort in our wine (no pubs stayed open after 9 o'clock) and games of cards and did get to watch a great sunset on the beach.

The South Island seems so different to the North, way less populated and far less commercial but its just as nice in a more scenic and unspoiled way. The locals, as always, are so friendly and you can't help but feel like you could be at home...in a more breathtaking version of Mayo or somewhere along our own west coast! Speaking of home Mo informs me that Michael O'Leery's plans for world domination haven't quite come to fruition, any other news for me anyone?

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Comments

[mary]

Emer, glad to see you are having a fab time. I never knew NZ was such a beautiful place. You guys never seem to stop.... constantly on the move. It is great how you manage to see so many amazing sights. Where to from now.? Are you planning to go to Christchurch at all. I have a friend living there. Gather not much happens there. Deciding what colour to paint the community hall seems to be the only bit of excitement there. Will continue to follow your trip x mary from a fairly cool and wet SA.

[Claire]

Well everything just looks amazing the photos are just fab am so jealous everytime I come into work I have new updates with the most amazing photos. Saw the skydive video very funny you look so scared it is some buzz isn't it amazing feeling. I'm a Celebrity Get me out of here started last night!!! We are all keeping well same old life busy working away while you are living it up. Well must fly take care miss ya lots Keep the photos rolling such clear good quality pics Claire