Spent today driving from Christchurch to Hokitika on the west coast via Arthur's pass. The drive to Arthur's pass is stunning i stopped every 10 mins i think to take pictures. The drive is beautiful and i loved the twisting windy roads up and down the mountain, it requires full concentration or off the edge you go. Arthur's Pass is a quaint little village, lots of people around, different accents flying everywhere. I had planned to stay in Arthur's pass but ended up just spending the day there and then i drove to Hokitika, Arthur's pass was booked out, i should have booked ahead....oops. Hokitika is a small town right on the coast, i found a room over looking the Tasman Sea. It was still raining so after giving up trying to get this computer to work i went next door to the pub and had a lovely counter meal of fish and salad, chatted to a German couple from Hamburg, hilarious they were...made me homesick for Ms Guempel. I wore my parka nearly all day, it was that cold.
The mountain in the background was my destination, this was taken not far out of Christchurch.
My partner on this trip, Mazda Familia. Its days are numbered i think, it does not like the hills and people on push bikes overtake me.
New Zealands version of Stonehenge.
The day started sunny and ended like this, rained constantly but you ignore it and go walking otherwise you wouldnt step outside the door.
This fellow flew down and landed at my feet as i was putting the boots on to go hiking or tramping as they call it here. I think his name is Kea.
The guide books failed to mention the 500 stairs i would have to walk up to reach the Punchbowl waterfall. The sign said one hour return trip....yeah if your Cathy Freeman or whoever is the fastest runner these days. My legs were screaming and on the way back down the pain got worse, severe jelly legs.
This was the gift at the end of hells jungle track, it was pretty but.....it was worth it, i need more practice.
The jungle scenery between staircases was beautiful, all damp and mossy.
This is the pond aka the Tasman Sea, way over there is Australia. the sand was black.
This is the path which leads to the Franz Josef Glacier, easy, picturesque
then you step into the river bed and walk for miles to reach the Glacier, not hard walking just long and the wind was literally blowing off ice, very cold.
This is the view looking back from the Glacier down the river bed, lovely weather, rained all the time, sometimes heavy.
Franz Josef Glacier, what an amazing sight it was. The ice is blue up close.
I almost didn't bring the zoom but I'm glad i did, my bag was heavy with wallet, camera, lens and water. Some people step out with nothing, no camera, no water, and thongs on their feet and wearing t-shirts.
It really is beautiful and worth the walk in any weather.
This is ice that was sitting in the river bed at Fox Glacier.
Fox Glacier, just down the road from Franz Josef. It was even colder here but it was about 5pm when i got here.
Fox Glacier village. I couldn't get accommodation at Franz Josef so i drove to Fox Glacier and they too were booked out, i had no option but to drive on. 30kms further south i came across a little motel/cabin park and got a room, i was their only guest....it was a bit like the Bates motel in Psycho but within 30 mins the place was full, apparently I'm not the only one who doesn't book ahead....... I left the shower curtain open.
