Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sorry for not giving details...the heli/glacier activity was in Milford Sound from Te Anau, NZ. After leaving there, we went to Queensland and did a gondola ride to view the city and them did a luge ride. Next, we headed to Lake Wanaka and spent the night. Today, we drove to Franz Josef along the Haast Highway and Glacier Highway (rt. 6). The were so many stops along the way, especially to view waterfalls. The highways are two lanes and very well marked. Some hairpin curves can be quite nerve wracking as well. Some of the townships we passed through only had small populations--40!! Other times you only had a cafe as the town!
The lakes are amazing! Mountains leading to blue, blue waters. No homes, no beaches--no roads to get to the water. The vast acres of land go on and on...
We are now in Franz Josef and plan to do a hike to a glacier tomorrow and hopefully learn more about glaciers, formations, etc.
After that, we probably will head a bit north before heading east, then north of Christchurch and finally to the North Island.
Camping is great. Amenities are wonderful and we've managed to strike up dinner conversations with people from Austria, Australia, UK, and New Zealand. On the road this afternoon, we met two sets of "friends."
The lakes are amazing! Mountains leading to blue, blue waters. No homes, no beaches--no roads to get to the water. The vast acres of land go on and on...
We are now in Franz Josef and plan to do a hike to a glacier tomorrow and hopefully learn more about glaciers, formations, etc.
After that, we probably will head a bit north before heading east, then north of Christchurch and finally to the North Island.
Camping is great. Amenities are wonderful and we've managed to strike up dinner conversations with people from Austria, Australia, UK, and New Zealand. On the road this afternoon, we met two sets of "friends."
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The kayak excursion was amazing! We were decked out with thermal underwear, fleece jackets, rain slickers, skirts to prevent water from entering the kayak, and life vests. The boat dropped us off about 20 minutes out and then the kayaks were lowered. Ellen and I were one of four kayaks and we paddled for nearly eight miles! We learned how to raft our kayaks, paddle correctly, reverse, and turn slowly or quickly. The views were nothing short of spectacular...really haven't enough adjectives to describe the remarkable scenery.
We returned to our campsite after 9:00pm, grabbed a pizza as most restaurants were closed for dinners, and then polished off a bottle of wine at the campsite...no wonder we slept until 9:50 this morning (checkout is at 10:00!)
Now we are in Queenstown and tomorrow we'll explore the town and head to Lake Wanaka, recommended by several people we've met.
Having difficulty with photos nd will try to send through regular email.
We returned to our campsite after 9:00pm, grabbed a pizza as most restaurants were closed for dinners, and then polished off a bottle of wine at the campsite...no wonder we slept until 9:50 this morning (checkout is at 10:00!)
Now we are in Queenstown and tomorrow we'll explore the town and head to Lake Wanaka, recommended by several people we've met.
Having difficulty with photos nd will try to send through regular email.
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