Week Three

Check out the next morning Monday 19^th was at half 9, and we started our journey south towards Franz Josef. We drove through a town called Ross, which is famous gold mining town. Shortly after a short drive of just under an hour, we stop in small town called Pukekura for morning coffee break. We head south to the Franz Josef Glacier village, nestled in the Westland National Park, passing numerous kettle lakes along the way. These lakes are created as glaciers retreat and leave chunks of ice behind that melt and form deep lakes. Westland Tai Poutini National Park is a striking feature of the glacial region, encompassing the 2 famous glaciers – Franz Josef and Fox. When we arrive into the village, we confirm the activities for our stay. The accommodation was called Rainforest Retreat and cost 29$ for a dorm for night with a 20 $ refundable deposit for the key. That evening in the Monsoon Bar located in the Hostel grounds, the prizes for the fancy dress was held, 1^st Prize went to the guy dressed as a pile of rubbish and second to the paedo. It was quite an early night due to the early start the next day.

Tuesday 18^th wake up time was 7.30, to get ready for check in at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides at 8.30 to do the Ice Explorer at cost of 250$. You get a Heli Transfer to the glacier. Where our guide Will navigated us through a maze of ice and explained the dramatic environmental changes over the last few years.  Will was telling us it was the best weather they’ve had to do this in nearly 2 weeks. Will was using his Pickaxe Gary to navigate our path. He had a great sense of humour and wit during the tour where he craved my name for some reason into the ice. I managed somehow to pick up a superficial war wound at the end where my sliding down ice went arse ways.  This has been one of the most unique experiences of my life so far and highlight of the trip so far. Also included in the price is entrance to the Glacier Hot Pools. The pools contain 3 different pools of varying temperatures, 36, 38 and 40 degrees and spent hours just relaxing in them. Sure got our money’s worth while we gossiped. Someone on the tour managed to nab a towel from there, pointing no fingers Giulia. Once we got back to the hostel, we realised, we needed stuff for a picnic lunch, with a mad dash to the supermarket, managed to get supplies as it was closing.

The departure time the next morning, Wednesday 19^th was at 8 am, the departure was so early in order to catch the reflection of Mount Cook on Lake Matheson near the town of Fox Glacier. After we pass the township of Haast, we bid farewell to the coast and head into the mountains. We cross the bridge at the Gates of Haast, head up the pass and into the Mount Aspiring National Park. We stop in the park for a picnic lunch, the weather couldn’t be sunnier. After lunch strolled down to the Haast River and filled a bottle with clear spring water, so cold too. As pass through Haast Pass, stop briefly to check out the Thunder Creek Falls, and any excuse for photo Op. As we come down the eastern side of the main divide of the Haast Pass, we track down toward Makarora. An hour or so drive from Makarora takes us through to Wanaka where we enter the Otago region with its stunning lakes and mountain ranges. On route we experienced slight traffic jam near Lake Wanaka due to a recent Mud Landslide. Wanaka is known commonly as the headquarters of Mt Aspiring National Park. On the way to this picturesque spot you skirt past the fifth largest lake in NZ, before crossing over to Lake Hawea. We stop for quick look over the lakes where we initial view of Dingle Burn Range. The accommodation was Base Wanaka Was a tad expensive for what it is 29 dollars but had 3 dollars off so got it for 26. Only dorms available were 8 bed dorms, small but clean. The walk along the lake front was peaceful at dust. At the hostel bar, the mint, there was a Karaoke night, with the Kiwi bus against Stray bus, another tour company, which our bus won and was a random fun night.

Departure and check out time was at 9am where we depart Wanaka to Queenstown on Thursday 20th. The first stop was puzzling world where you can try to conquer the maze; I do mean try, it’s frustrating but hilarious fun and mind blowing stuff in the illusion house. Check out the toilets too which are hilariously entertaining. Afterwards we head around the edge of the manmade Lake Dunstan towards the Kawarau Gorge. We make a pit stop in small town called Cromwell at a fruit and veg shop called jones fruit stall, reasonably priced. Soon after we enter the Kawarau Gorge, the home of AJ Hackett Bungy, we stop for a video history about the Bungy. Before we got here, no one on the bus was doing it but after the video, 14 including myself, Mikie, Matt, Lisa, amongst others on the kiwi bus, braved our fears and did the 43M Kawarau Bridge Bungy. The bungy was on offer at 99 dollars if you did it that day. It bungy was done from the historial suspension bridge over the Kawarau River; it was such an adrenaline rush, like nothing I’ve ever done before. Soon after we were all on the bus, we made the 20 mins journey into Queenstown, the accommodation for the night was at the Nomads hostel which cost 35 dollars for a 6 bed dorm ensuite, although was a tad expensive, the hostel was like nothing we meet so far on this trip.