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So we're on our way to Franz Josef from Wanaka. The road on the way to Franz Josef from Wanak is absolutely amazing and there are so many places that you can stop and go hiking or on shorter walks should you wish to. We stopped at the Blue Pools qwhich was just off the main highway. We walked down a track for abourt 10 mins and then across a 100m rope bridge 20/30ft above a river which could only accommodate 5 people at a time and had a tendancy to move up and down with every step. it was cool and the water below was amazingly clear as always really. we then walked a further 2/3 mins and arrived at the blue pools. They did not disappoint. Blue they were and clear as day. So beautiful. we had a bit of a play and skimmed some stones and headed back and got back on the road.
We carried on and stopped again at another site called roaring Billy (waterfall). It again was really cool and the photos do not disappoint. Got a bot peckish and had a tailgate lunch by a river. Sarah went to explore and I thought we'd lost her but she was behind a bench. Note to self..Sarah is v capable!! Bob was having a chat with a bird that liked his whistling...He is doolittle!
I could go on an on about the scenry in New Zealand but it has to be seen to be believed. It can vary from sub tropical to arctic within 10 miles. So very varied it is unreal.
After another couple of hours we arrived at our destination in Franz Josef. We got our stuff out of the motor and I was not feeling too tricky so I stayed in and Sarah and the in-laws went and booked our chopper flight for the next day. The accommodation is OK and managed to get a cheeky upgrade to next to Bob and Liz. (they charged me the xtra for 1 day but got away with 1 day also) It was getting a little late so we had a bite (not too good again) and truned in as we had to be up early for the chopper flight the next morning.
After our near perfect experience on Milford, we are now all very calm about our Helicopterexperience. Our pilot is calm personified and all take off Ok. The scenery is unbelieveble. We made our way towards Fox Glacier by way for Mount Tasmin and Mount Cook. The Mountains are so impressive and I was not aware that there were over 130 glaciers in the area also. We were due to land on the glacier but Liz that she would like to head back ASAP as she was not enjoying the experience.
Turns out that she was not alone as Bob and Sarah were feeling the same. I could tell that Sarah was not enjoying it as I had no feeling in my knee..This may have been a mistake as the pilot then took us for an extended tour of mount cook where there was more turbulance whereas if we would have landed on the glacier, we wouldn't have had time for this...you live and learn eh! Still pretty amazing though and Liz has conquered another of her fears which is a massive thing and hats off to her for that.
We had some breakfast after the flight and had probably the worlds most uninterested waitress serving. She was that bad I felt like offering her some counselling.
It then rained and rained and rained and rained you get the picture. From around 11am to the next morning. We went to check out the glacier again but on via road and on foot this time but the rain was so intense we kinda gave up. Made our way to Fox the town and had an excellent late lunch with waiters who seemed interested in both us and our dollars which was a refreshing change..Went back to the hotel and I tried to sort out some computer issues with my phone and sarah and the in-laws chilled.
Had some cheese and vino in B&L's room and then bedded down for the night. It really is depressing when you are subject to that much rain for that long...Never going to India/Thailand in Monsoon season (NOTE TO SELF).
The next morn was glorious sunshine so we went back to the Glacier and took some more piccies before heading onto our next stop Nelson.
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