Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

It was a rainy day today, but the views that I did manage to sneak in were fantastic.   I started the day with a quick side trip up to Arthur's Pass, which, if I had continued on this road, would have taken me back to Christchurch.  I believe this pass is the highest in New Zealand, and it was an impressive 16% grade climb!!  (as a reference point for my New England readers, Mt Washington is 12%)  And yes, there was one road cyclist making the climb!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I stopped to take a picture of one of the suspension bridges, I learned quickly what a Kea is and just how aggressive they can be! A flock of Keas started attacking the rubber on my car and all the other cars that had stopped and parked.  They are not shy at all and clearly do whatever it is that they want to do, including try to get into your car to get your food!  Bad Keas!!

Kea

After Arthur's Pass I retraced my path and then headed further down the West Coast and found myself in a rainforest.  It was amazing!  I found my B&B (which, by the way, has a lovely view of another glacier) and after a very nice chat with my hostess, headed off to find Franz Josef Glacier.  Just outside of town I parked and walked the 45 minute walk to the glacier's base, the first 15 minutes in complete rainforest and the last 30 minutes out in a rock covered valley with walls of rock on either side that once were carved out by the glacier. The glacier was amazing.  Here I was, standing in shorts, surrounded by a rainforest, looking at a glacier.  It started to rain and mist filled the valley.  It was completely surreal.

Rainforest walk

Walk opening up to valley with glacier in the distance

Franz Josef Glacier

After taking it all in, I grabbed a quick bite to eat, came back to my B&B and soaked in a bath to warm back up, and then had a very nice chat with one of the other guests who is on vacation from CT with his daughter.  His wife had passed away last year..... we had a long talk about making sure you take breaks from work and enjoy life.  ; )

This will be the last post for several days.  Tomorrow I quickly take in Fox Glacier (45 minutes down the road) and then head on to Wanaka where I will be staying for 4 nights with Jenny & Beth's friends from Dunedin!!  I'm so ready to do laundry and stay put for a few nights!!