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I know I have pretty much said this about everywhere is New Zealand, but Franz Josef is just such a fantastic place.Its where I was lucky enough to do my skydive and the full day glacier hike on The Fox Glacier here!Skydive - the skydive in Franz Josef is said to be the most spectacular in New Zealand, and although I have nothing to compare it with, I think they might be right!The jump I did was 12,000ft (the plane here is too small to carry oxygen masks so this is the highest you can jump from).The plane is actually tiny, its just big enough to fit four jumpers and the pilot!When we got there, we got kitted up and did some practice hanging and banana shapes, so we would be fully prepared when it was time to jump.Becky and I went up in the plane together - our instructors were fantastic and talked us through everything, going over things in the plane and ensuring we fully understood what was going to happen.We were taken on a 20 minute scenic flight over the glacier and mountains, which was just spectacular.The cloud above the first clouds were so thick, and we could see the snow covered Mount Eden sticking up above.Below is the sea and the huge rainforests.The journey up was pretty nerve wracking, and crazy cos we were so squashed in.Its an odd experience as you have to put complete trust in you instructor.It's a very physical thing and they take alot of control over you.Finally you get to the 12,000ft and they ask you if you are ready, then open the door.As soon as the door is open you can't hear a thing.Becky went first, and literally one second she was hanging out the plane, and then she was gone!Then straight away we shuffled to the edge.I hang over the edge, being totally just attached to Greg, my instructor, just hanging.I smile for my photo, then give him the thumbs up, and out we go! It is mental!!We go out is a somersault to make it more fun, and they tell you to keep your eyes open so you can see the plane flying away as you fall.After a few seconds you are straight and just falling.It's the craziest feeling in the world.You are literally just falling.I think I was screaming but nothing really came out!The further we fell, we started to fall into the cloud, which was so thick and it terrified me cos you couldn't see a thing except white for seconds!Then as we came out of the cloud he pulled the parachute!It was crazy!As I fell with the parachute I was just screaming and laughing.I was able to get my camera out, which was around my neck on a bit of string.As we fell, he did some twists and turns, and we practiced landing.The landing was so soft, and we landed on our bottoms.After he had unattached me, he said I could stand up, but I just couldn't.It was ridiculous.I couldn't stand and all I could do was cry.I just didn't have anything else left in me to do!I think Greg actually quite enjoyed the jump because I loved it so much.Although I may have deafened him abit!!The next day was our full day glacier hike and we had most perfect day for it - the sun had his hat well and truly on!We went to the glacier centre to get kitted up, and were put into groups.We had the gorgeous Scott, who was 20 and had the skinniest legs I have ever seen.He did well to cope with us that day.It was Caz's birthday and we were all in pretty high spirits!We can't have scared him too much cos he came out for drinks that night!I think he liked us really.We had a little hike along the river before we even reached the bottom of the glacier.Then we had to get our crap-ons on, and get started on the ice.Its crazy and takes a few minutes before you trust the crap-ons to hold you, but by the end of the day we were jumping all over the place in them - they really do hold you on the ice!We had a pretty steep start, but this was through quite well carved steps, but the further you go up, the more the steps have to be created as we went.We were following other groups, so the basics were set out, but often Scott would have to pull out the extra big axe to make sure it was safe!!The whole day was such a spectacular experience, and something I felt so privileged to do.Every second was stunning.The funniest bit of the day was when I was being cocky and wanted to go up the front with Scott.He then took us through this ridiculously thin man-made crevasse which we all got stuck in!It was hilarious, but bloody scary at the same time!We had to have one foot in front of the other, with out bodies twisted to the side, but our feet couldn't pass each another, so we had to shuffle along.This was fine until we got to the hill bit - there was no way we could shuffle up it, and Scott had to throw a rope down.I was scarily claustrophobic, but wetting myself laughing at the same time!We climbed through caves and tunnels, and jumped over huge holes and gaps.We were up in the ice for about 6 hours - it was just amazing!Caz even managed to complete the whole with her party hat and balloon still intact!We had an amazing evening to celebrate Caz's birthday, eating out and drinking Champaign (a gift from a friend from home).A fabulous end to a fabulous few days!!Franz Josef is a must!
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