i arrived late on tuesday night to Franz Josef - had the choice to either stop in Fox or FJ for the night but got told FJ was more lively. LOL got told it was like Queenstown.... well, it s about 50 times small with its 300 permanent resident!

anyway, it was a good place to spend couple of nights - on my arrival that first evening, i went straight to the booking office for my heli-hike for the next day then had a good night rest after my long drive of that day.

then on wednesday afternoon, i join a small group to go on top of the Franz Josef Glacier, which would proved to be one of my highlight of my NZ tour. After a security briefing from our guide, we were handed over gloves / hat / socks / boots / crampons and rain proof jacket. Then we boarded our helicopter for a 10 min ride through mountains to reach our destination - the FJ Glacier.

i was so excited to be in a helicopter and this brought me back memories on "What if" i had gone to do a military carrier as an helicopter pilot - which was my wish if i hadnt been accepted in the Catering College! Maybe, i could get lesson and still learn this! :-)

despite the cloudy day, we had a great few hours walking on the Glacier. i saw some amazing ice formation and was surprised by the blue colour of the ice (due to its density). Now, did you know that this glacier is unique as it descent to just 240 metres above sea level amid the greenery and lushness of the rainforest. Its name was given by the german explorer Julius Von Haast in 1865, after the Austrian emperor Franz Josef - as the Glacier reminded him of the beard of the emperor!

The Maori name for the Glacier is Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere ("the Tears of Hinehukatere") arising from a local legend: Hinehukatere loved climbing in the mountains and persuaded her lover Tawe to climb with her. Tawe was a less experienced climber than Hinehukatere but loved to accompany her until an avalanche swept Tawe from the peaks to his death. Hinehukatere was broken hearted and her many, many tears flowed down the mountain and froze to form the glacier.!!!

it is currently 12km long. having retreated several Km between 1940s and 1980s, the glacier entered an advancing phase in 1984 and and has advanced at time at the phenomenal rate of 70cm per day!

the next day, i took the morning easy, enjoying the good weather by seating annd reading my book, before going to see the highest indoor climbing ice wall of the southern hemisphere - it was impressive to see it - and make small talk for an hour with a couple that had their son ice climbing that day - even got invited to stay to their place if i wanted to in Wellington - i have to say that i found kiwis very welcoming wherever i went - that was until my few days later! LOL

on my way north, i stopped to Greymouth where i experienced the local Whitebait sandwich and beer battered Chips - yum yum!!! and some fun public toilet that play music when you use them!