Woke to an amazing sunrise and crisp, cold day with brilliant, clear blue sky. Will be heading to Fox Glacier as the Franz Josef glacier is too unstable right now due to yesterday's rain. Stopped at Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections of Aoraki Mt Cook and did small hike into the lake. Went to a small gift shop and bought some beautiful NZ souvenirs. Checked into Fox Glacier Holiday Park-beautiful park with great views of Mt Tasmen and Mt Cook. Walked into town to Glacier Guiding to start our ice tour. After getting our gear we took a bus to the start of the glacier. We hiked in for about half an hour climbing through many rockslides and a couple of creeks. I can't begin to explain the immenseness of the fallen boulders. We then stopped and put on crampons to begin the ascent on the glacier. Fox Glacier is 13 kms in length and is the longest glacier on the West Coast of NZ. This moving river of ice falls 2600 meters from the base of the Southern Alps to terminate in the temperate rainforest a scant 250 meters above sea level. Because of the unique combination of climate, the funnel-like shape of the glacial valley and the huge neve (snow collection area at the top of the glacier), Fox Glacier moves about 10 times the speed of other valley glaciers around the world. Our guide Bia, from Brazil, noticed Steve's 'Downey Stables' toque and asked if they were standardbreds! She had worked in New Jersey at Wainridge Stud Farms- what a small world it is! We walked on the glacier , explored ice caves and learned about glacial formation. The sun was setting as we climbed down off the glacier-a really amazing experience. We treated ourselves to supper at Cooks Saddle Cafe and Saloon- an excellent meal to end another great day.