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Caroline's World Tour
Okay, so when I left you we were about to head to the Franz Jozef Glacier....well, we did! We drove from Hokitika through pouring rain, so we were a bit unsure about what to do when we got to Franz Jozef. However when we got there, the owner of our hostel told us it always rains there anyway, so if you want to go on the glacier you just have to go! So we decided to brave it, and booked ourselves on the half day glacier experience. This involved a 2km walk to the glacier in ridiculously heavy walking boots, and then a climb of approximately 150 vertical metres (although not straight up, obviously) actually on the ice! We had to wear ice talons and full waterproof gear, so it was quite a challenge but it was absolutely amazing. It was quite a bizarre experience, clambering up solid ice. The company have cuts steps into the ice to make it easier to climb, and some of them have guide ropes but the steepest ones don't! When you wearing ice talons you have to stomp really heavily on the ground so that they cut in properly, but some of the steps are so high that this was really difficult! At one point, after I'd struggled up a very steep flight, Henry, our guide, turned around and said to me "yeah, they're not really meant for little legs". I felt like a hobbit. But it was amazing, and it didn't even rain all the time so we got some amazing views when we got to the top of our climb. I just wish we'd had either the time to do the full day climb, or the money to do the heli-hike, because I imagine the glacier was even more incredible if you actually made it to the top! I might well come back here when I return to New Zealand.....
The next day we set off for Wanaka, stopping on the way to see the Fox Glacier. But just a glimpse, because it was throwing it down so heavily that none of us fancied getting out the car! By seeing the Fox, that means that the 3 of us have now seen every glacier in the world that descends into temperate rainforest - Fox, Franz Josef, and the Perito Moreno in Argentina. Bet you're all jealous!
Wanaka was absolutely beautiful, if the clouds had been good to us I think it would have easily been the most spectacular place we have been to. The town is on the edge of Lake Wanaka, and surrounded by mountains. The drive to get there was absolutely stunning, in fact, despite the rain, most of the driving we do is! In Wanaka, I once again tried to do my skydive - this time I got really close! I was at the jump centre, paid up and ready to get into my jumpsuit when the clouds descended and they announced it was off - gutted. I'd really psyched myself up for it and was ready to go! After agonising over it all morning, Nicola had decided not to jump so I had to set off by myself, but by the time they all arrived at the jump centre to watch, she'd changed her mind and wanted to jump! And after all that.....it was cancelled. I'm starting to wonder if this is a sign......!!
After this disappointment, we left Wanaka for Queenstown, driving through the precarious Crown Range Pass to get here - cuts an hour off the drive time and is exquisite but is not for the faint hearted! Queenstown has to be one of the most amazing places I've ever seen - built on the edge of a lake and surrounded by the Remarkable Mountains - I defy anyone not to be in awe of the incredible views. After we arrived late yesterday afternoon we went up to the Skyline, which towers above the city perched on the top of a mountain. We went up mainly to watch people bungee jump (maniacs!) but the views were so amazing we ended up staying for a hearty hot chocolate (its really cold here!) to watch the sun go down - amazing.
This afternoon we're going white water rafting and jet boating......I can't bring myself to be nervous because I'm more concerned about how cold its going to be!! Brrrrrr!!
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