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Wahoo well today was great fun! I think we all felt pretty good in the morning considering the day before, which was handy because we were off first thing to walk the Franz Josef Glacier.
I think my stupid syndrome from the day before had passed over to Michelle because she started the morning off by going outside and trying to pack the wrong car…..yup…. Meanwhile, at the correct car, we headed off to the glacier.
I have to say I am having so much fun on this trip, not just the South Island, the whole thing, it doesn't feel like I'm wasting time or not doing anything, we are making the most of everyday and seeing so many things and making so many great memories that it will be hard to forget any anytime soon!
I loved the Glacier walk as there were 2 or 3 waterfalls along the walk path in the bed of the glacier and they were incredible, you could see bright rainbows running through them and I was in my element. The weather was great and we had fun walking along to the base of the glacier, stopped for some photos and food and then walked back to the car - no dawdling, we had to get to Hokitika!
Straight back in the car after the walk we drove on, and stopped along the way for a coffee, where Darren treated himself to the British Football Paper - yes, they have an entire paper just dedicated to British Football. Bizarre.
Hokitika is quite small but it's beautiful and right on the beach, it's also famous for Greenstone and Jade. We got to one Jade shop just as the lady was closing up, but after we explained where we had come from she opened it up again for us so that we could look around and she was really good at explaining all about Jade etc. We also stopped in at a local fudge shop and all bought Ice Creams before heading off down to the beach to look for Greenstones/Jade on the beach!
The one thing Chris said was always face the water when you look for the stones. You can just imagine the four of us walking along, heads looking directly at the floor searching for stones that MIGHT be Jade. We found a few and I was happily going on in my search before I got caught by a huge wave which came in up to my mid calves and made me run screaming out of the water. Chris and Michelle absolutely cracked up laughing and Chris said it was just hilarious as he turned around and saw me screaming and running out of the water (!) my rucksack on my back and an ice cream in my hand.
Well that was it for me, not only did I have wet jeans, trainers and socks, I had spilt my ice cream on my t shirt too. You can't take me anywhere.
I trudged off up to the picnic area to try and get the sand out of everything, whilst the others continued the search for Jade. Luckily as the weather is so good my jeans dried in no time but the same can't be said for my trainers… After I managed to get as much of the sand and water out of my socks and trainers as I thought I was going to get, I put them in the sandwich bag we had used for lunch the day before (how incredibly resourceful of me, I know!) and put them in my rucksack before walking back down to the beach to meet the others.
The sun was coming down and my wet trainers were now on the parcel shelf of the car as we headed back to the backpackers place all contemplating what food we were going to have.
When we got to the café we remembered that it was beers for $1 until the first points of the game were scored as long as you were there before Kick-off (we were) and so we all ordered beers, as soon as we sat down Tonga nearly scored against Japan, so we all drank quickly and went to order more before the first points were in - we literally got there just in time as they did indeed score, within the first 5 minutes I think.
Food wise, Chris, not happy enough with last nights' achievement decided to order the Big Boy again, Michelle the Ribs, Darren Sausage and Mash and I, after seeing a guy with a Welsh rugby shirt on, eating the same thing, decided on a mixed pizza - Salmon, Cream Cheese and Pesto on one half and Chicken, Brie and Cranberry Sauce on the other - lovely but incredibly sweet!
We managed to leave the bar without me ruining anybody's game of pool and headed back to the room, for tea and quiz before bed.
We rock.
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