New Zealand (stray) - Punakaiki to Franz Josef

NEW ZEALAND
Punakaiki to Franz Josef and non travel day in Franz Josef
Sat 10 Nov

'You have the morning free for activities, then at midday we head into the heart of the West Coast – where time almost stands still. We do pick-ups at Greymouth, make a stop in Hokitika then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef glacier.'

We arrive in Franz Josef about 5pm. The stray bus do sort out accommodation for us ($28pn) but the Germans have found an alternative place up the road ($21pn) so we go here instead. We have a non travel day so are here for 2 nights. On the Sunday we are meant to jump in a helicopter to do a hike over the Fox Glacier but the weather isn't too good so it is cancelled, hopefully we will be able to do it first thing Monday morning. Monday morning was cancelled too, this was good as I had accidently overslept due to having one too many at Mexican night. At least I had seen the tip of the glacier and on the plus had saved some money too.

below: meal on Saturday night. Good old bangers and mash! Portions are big with this group !

below: a kayak business along one of the roads in Franz Josef. Their house is round the back and the office is in this old Bedford. 

below: as the heli hike along the glacier is at risk of being cancelled two days in a row we decide to walk to the bottom of it. 

below: unfortunately the weather takes a turn for the worse and we get drenched! 

below: the start of the Franz Josef glacier

below: after warming up in the hot pools it is time for mexican night! L-R: Andrea from Germany, Vivvy from Sweden, me, Emanuel from Switzerland and ? from Germany.