Glaciers and Angela's Road Kill!

31st January
We love NZ

Who wouldn't like to wake up to this??

Angela

The amazing river with the most milky turquise colour ever!

Waking up by a lakeside of the department of conservation grounds was nice, full of mosquitoes and sandflies as always. The tent covered in dew, we packed it all up and had breakfast by the lakeside. On the road we stopped of at Ross town for some coffee and internet before driving through magnificent scenery to reach the Franz Josef Glacier. In the town we had lunch, and discovered the generous portions that New Zealanders give in restaurants (huge meal). Energy levels were running high, and we went on a walk to the base of the Glacier. We crossed the whole glacier bed, some waterfalls, rivers to get there. It was nice, although looks whiter from a distance away. The walk was great, and Angela managed to find glittery sand that she had to have in a bottle, the work out was nice too.

Big big KIWI lunch

David at the Glaciers, not cool...HOT!

Angela & David

Angela & David

Lucky for you the photo isn't big enough to see all my scars from the mosquito bites!

Back in town we tried to get a shower from somewhere as campsites do not provide them. It was proven difficult, because nobody wants to let you use their facilities, apart from the luxury hot pools place in Franz Josef, the lads in there were kind and friendly, and finally we were clean.
Fox Glacier next, which was much of the same. Lovely views, and huge mountains with snow capped peaks, with an ice slope as the glacier. We only had time to get a few pictures from a distance, as we needed to get to the Lake Mathieson for the sunset and our dinner.

At the lake we packed our lite dinner, of salami and cucumber sandwiches with water to wash it down. On the lake shore the weather was excellent, and the sunset was magical. The mirror reflection of the mountains from the lake is what we came to see, and we got it. A 1 in 20 chance of the weather being like this, all for our pleasure.

Angela & David

The stunning view!!

Can YOU see what's up and what's down??

We still were not finished with the driving for the night as we had to get closer to Wanaka for the next day. So Angela was behind the wheel, for about 200 km. Everything was going well, there were many little rabbits running around, and of course possums on most turns on the road. She did manage to avoid them, until the final 50 km or so. Thump, bang. There goes the road kill for tonight. She finally managed to get one....... but there is no remorse, as they are considered pests here. Bloody Aussies brought them here, and now they are destroying NZ.
Night night!
Angela & David