A little icy, NZ

Sat 21 Feb, 2009 - Greymouth to Franz Josef

Set off from Greymouth for Franz Josef and the Ice Glaciers. Unfortunately looked like the rain had settled in so who knows if the half day glacier hike will occur. Well found out that the hikes run regardless of the weather - hmmm do I want to do it with no views? The further we continued down the road the more uninterested in the whole concept I became. Jen really wanted to do the heli-hike but no flights today due to the weather so she was going to do the half day hike.

On the way stopped at Bushman’s Hut which was a centre for the area which explained the process from wild to farmed deer. People’s reactions to the centre were very different. Obviously killing of any animal can be seen as brutal though the reasons for the catching of deer and now possums is for the survival of the native wildlife. The owner had quite a sense of humour which could also be taken.


Got settled into the Montrose backpackers and was quite content not to do the Glacier hike. Yes it is a shame not to since here however, I can always come back another year. Jen was going to find out more about it - though her enthusiasm had diminished also. Free internet got me partially updated on events which included two engagements and a pregnancy announced. Another busy year! Well it wasn’t long before Jen was back. The decision as to whether to do or not was taken out of her hands due to her knee injury. However due to the weather the normal walking track wasn’t in use and had to spend longer getting there and therefore less time on the actual glacier.

So went for fish and chips at the local pub and read for the rest of the night.

Sun 22 Feb, 2009 - Franz Josef to Queenstown

Today was the longest day of travel that I have had thus far. Started the morning by passing Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers … apparently … couldn’t see them due to the low cloud cover! Along route stopped at Lake Matheson, the Mirror Lake, which give picture perfect reflections of the southern alps, though again due to the rain there wasn’t much of a reflection. The drive continued through the towns of Haast and Makarora which saw the scenery change from huge forests to vast plateaus as travelled into Central Otago region. Stopped at Lake Wanaka and then at Kawarau Bridge - which is home of the first commercial bungy jump in the world.

Arrived in Queenstown by 4.30pm and was dropped at Pinewood Hostel. After some time of indecisiveness came to the conclusion of staying for 3 nights which will give an extra night at Lake Tekapo so I can hike around Mt Cook area. I was initially thinking of spending a few days in Te Anau and the sounds area. Though weather and not really enough time to do it justice aided me in changing plans. So a wander through town in the late arvo and then got organised for day trip to Milford sound and read for a time.