Motoring from Nelson to Franz Josef

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Today we traveled by motor coach from Nelson down the West coast of the South Island to Franz Josef. The road was very twisty and up and down - not the trip for a person who gets motion sickness easily! After I got use to the rolling motion of the bus I was able to enjoy the incredible countryside. Most of the trip was along the Tasman Sea coast.

We stopped several times to pick people up and to take breaks. We stopped at Murchison for breakfast, Punakaiki for lunch (and blow holes), Hokitika for shopping (art purchase) and our final destination of Franz Josef.

Every time we stopped our driver would tell us the be back at a certain time and if we did not return on time there would be no one to come get us and we would be stranded. Needless to say, we were on time!! He didn't give us much time either - we were all eating as fast as we could for breakfast and lunch and power shopping (that part is easy)!!!

We checked into our hotel (Punga Grove) and were once again surprised with an apartment type room. I'm getting spoiled here! The town is in a rain forest and near the coast - very cool.

We had a great dinner at the Landing Restaurant and good beers - Speight lager and Mac Gold, both NZ beers.

After dinner we went to the Glacier hot pools. The pools are fiberglass, surrounded by rainforest and canvas covered. The pools are fed by pure glacier water. Nice and relaxing but not what we expected. Thought it would be natural pools. Still loads of fun.

Tomorrow we get to sleep in and then off to the Franz Josef glacier.

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Comments

[Michelle]

Blue water!
Wow! that first pic is amazing! Have you had to take Dramamine? I sure would have! How is Allison on curvy roads?! We are actually hot here! Too soon! Enjoy your day... or maybe night?! Miss you <3

[Suzer]

Dramine
All of us have done traveling.