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Since I last posted I have made it all the way up the west coast of the south island to Punakaiki, home of the 'pancake rocks'. I'm here just for 2 nights and then heading over to the Nelson Lakes national park and then onto Picton to go to the north island.
Had an awesome trip to Milford Sound. PLenty of stops on the way to see all the waterfalls and views on the way. Boat trip was about 2 hours long and we went right out into the Tasman Sea and back. Amazing views of the Fiord, dark waters surrounded by 1000 metre high rock cliffs, loads of fog hanging round aswell. Weather was perfect as it was all foggy in the morning but then cleared to be hot and sunny during the day and I think they have somethign silly like 8 metres of rainfall per year so it's not often it doesn't rain!
The next day I hitched all the way to Wanaka,got there very quickly as I'd barely left the hostel when 2 French guys pulled up by me and asked me if I wanted a lift, so they took me most of the way then a chap (who turned out to originally be from Swindon) took me the rest of the way to Wanaka. Wanaka was an ok place, not a lot to do though if you're not into skiing or snowboarding and unfortunately the day after I got there it snowed loads and so the Haast Pass to the west coast was closed for a few days so I got stuck there for 2 days longer than I wanted!They were spent doing some short walks in the snow, looking at Lake Wanaka, and going out on the Sat night for my birthday.
On my birthday I got a lift with 2 german girls I met in the hostel to Franz Josef Glacier. Pretty tricky journey as the road was still icy and snowy in places, butan absolutely fantastic drive through the mountains seeing all the waterfalls, snow covered peaks, forest and then finally descending down to the weast coast which was a complete contrast with beaches etc.
Had 2 nights at Franz Josef. The first day I went out walking round the tracks there, perfect weather yet again in a place where it rains 280 days of the year! Yesterday I did a glacier hike, was planning to do a full day however I overslept so just did a half day hike instead. Climbing up and down the glacier, really unusual nothing like I've ever done before. Worked out quite well as I met an american girl on the trip who was driving to Punakaiki that afternoon so got a lift with her to where I am now! Absolutely fantastic sunset over the sea and staying in prob the best hostel I've been in, more like a house for 6 people really, and right in the middle of nowhere surrounded by rain forest. Went out walking today on part of the Inland Track, this inculded one river crossing which came up to my knees so just sitting in the internet cafe now drying off!
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