Day 73

Hello again - with love from a Glacier!!!

I met Mum and Dad on Monday, and we have had a fabulous few days in South Island. Christchurch was lovely (only partly to do with the smart hotel!!) and we had a great day at the Antarctic Centre; not only was it really interesting, but we also had the chance to experience 10mins in a simulated blizzard (-42 is cold!!), saw 25 little blue penguins being fed (all with disabilities) and rode an off road heggalund. Suffice to say the ride was a little too dramatic for Mummy's liking! All in all a really good day... and yes, I do now want to go to Antarctica!!!

The journey across the Southern Alps and Arther's Pass was beeeeooootiful, and the train was fabulous. Truely spectacular views!

We then spent a fabulous evening/night in the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed in! Some lovely walking along the black volcanic sand beaches and another great day.

We are now in Franz Josef town, looking up at the glacier which is breathtaking. Yesterday we had a helicopter ride across both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and landed on the top which was amazing, and today we walked to the bottom of the Franz Josef. They are so big! I think the aspect I find most amazing is that they are 10km (FJ) and 13km (Fox) long and move at an average speed of 1m a day, with a record of 5m advancement in 24 hours!!

This morning was spent riding off road buggys/go-karts in the surrounding rainforset looking up at the mountains. Muddy but brilliant!!!

Tomorrow we are off to Queenstown, the extreme activity capital of the world!!

I'll be in touch again soon - I hope you are all enjoying spring!

Lots and lots of love

Miss you

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