Woop Woop

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Westport was a funny little town. It is apparently the largest town on the West coast. Well at 4pm on a wednesday afternoon, it wasn't exactly thriving that's for sure. I'd decided not to do any activities, but to chill out for the afternoon instead. So I made a spag bol for a few people, and still ended up with three meals worth to spare! It was awesome, as always! In the evening it was 'socialise' time and we headed to a pub/pizzaria and had a few bevs. I got to know a few of the people on my new bus and but didn't have a very late night. I did try and show off some poi skills in a semi dark backgarden, but broke my poi and simultaniously ripped a hole in my long sleeved t-shirt. I guess that's what you get for trying to show off. people didn't seem that impressed!!
After Westport we headed to Lake Mahinapua and the 'Poo pub' party. This is a special evening organised by Kiwi Experience in a place people normally wouldn't visit and is more 'socialise-time' for us backpackers. It was a really cheap night to stay there and we got a massive meal with venison stew and huuuge steak for 10 buck. sweet as. Then we had our dress up theme. Drags and Bin bags. Yep, guys as girls and girls as whatever they want, providing it was created out of bin bags. Everyone made a great effort and we were all impressed with how people turned out. I won't scare you all with my full length picture, but have included the group shot for you to peruse and see some awesome costumes. Needless to say people got ever so slightly tipsy and went on late night adventures to the lake. I however, went to bed and had no hangover the next day. woop woop!
We left Lake Mahinapua the following morning and headed to Franz Josef, having a few nice walks in the national parks en route, and went to the Bushman Centre. A not so fantastic museum about New Zealands deer hunting/farming industry. we watched an informative video about how deer were culled which made the dude running the place out to be some kind of hero, ridding new zealand of an aweful pest. As you can probably imagine, i was not a lover of this place, and the little jokey exibits were lost on me. Don't go if you can help it. I'm not sure which was worse, this place or the angora rabbit shearing centre. again, don't go.
I arrived in Franz Josef a couple of days ago and have had an action packed couple of days! On the first afternoon/evening I went for another Kayak, this time across a lake and into some backwaters. It was ace. A bit choppy crossing the lake at the start, but I mastered the single man kayak and got across without getting too wet, unlike some of the others in my group! Then we went down some isolated still water channels and saw great reflections of the tree canopy above us, as the sun was setting above us. It was really peaceful and I very much enjoyed it. The 'instructor' was hilarious so that added to our enjoyment of the trip. Didn't do much in the evening, but the next day it was Glacier Hike time! wooooop.
We had an early start, and got ourselved kitted up. Then we headed to the base of Franz Josef glacier and walked through a foresty bit to the melting area. Franz Josef is one of only 3 glaciers in the world which end up going down into tropical rainforest, dontcha know. We then donned our Crampons and had a 6 hour treck up through the ice cracks and caves, past glorious blue iced walls and some awesome blue water pools. Our guide, Ryan was a pretty funny English guy who it turns out is younger than me. Its weird being taught how to do stuff by young people, i'm not sure i like it!! But yeah we all had a great time and I would love to do it agan one day, and maybe take a helicopter further up. I still haven't seen those mythical massive glacial lakes. but one day I will! Sooo good though!
Last night it was time to say goodbye to the bus I had been travelling with for the past few days, as they were moving on and I was staying an extra day here. So we all had some drinks and party till....oooh 1am. wow. But yeh I went to bed knackered, and others still got their groove on. Olle who was staying in my room, was woken up by one of his fellow travellers this morning, only to insist he wasnt leaving today. Then woke up 2 hours later and asked me if he had missed the bus, totally oblivious to the whole thing!! Fool. He now has to stay 2 extra days here!
I've now been joined by a few of the guys who we left up in the North Island, so tis nice to see some familiar faces! Today has just been laundry, hot tub, laze around day. And tomorrow we head to Wanaka. Sweet.

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Comments

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Franz Josef looks fabulous - I wanna be there!