we arrived in Franz Josef on 9th may. this is a tiny little village set in the southern alps where people to come and view or walk up the glacier. The picture is of Fox Glacier which is 10mins away. On the 10th may the majority of our bus went hiking up the glacier. This was a full day hike and start at the bottom of the glacier, then walk a couple of kms through a rainforest and along the valley river bed before coming to the bottom of the glacier. From here we climbed a ladder, and walked a bi further before stopping to but on the spikes on our boots and be spilt into smaller groups. i went in the medium group and from here we walked up and around the glacier for around 6 hours. THis started with climbing up steps that had been cut into the ice by earlier guides, crossing a small bridge and gradually work our way up the glacier. After stopping for a quick lunch break we got into the more interesting ice which included sliding through two vrey small crevices by pushing urself across the ice and also going under a small tunnel. There was loads of blue ice and the formations the ice had made were awesome. it was completely different to what i expected. I did have an accident and slip and got stuck down a crevice. Luckily i didnt break anything and ny guide eventually got me out. Have got some pretty amazing bruises to show from and have at least stopped hobbling around now. There was snow on the mountains here and the scenary around the village was amazing. i spent my extra day here recovering!!!1