Glaciers, Axes, Wanaka and White Water Rafting

Location: Frans Josef tourist place
Weather: Very cold in an alpine way at night

Had an enjoyable 9 hour bus journey from Nelson to Frans Josef village, the driver was entertaining and the air conditioning actually worked. Checked into the Glowworm Cottages hostel. Went on a Glacier tour over the Frans Josef Glacier. I was in the pioneering group and our guide had to cut through the ice, sometimes getting lost and having to back track. It got very cold (even for me) after about half-way, but the blue ice, crevasses and fun you can have with an ice-axe, plus the fact you're kitted-out like you're climbing Everest, made the whole thing most excellent.

I got a lift down the road to Fox Glacier and took a bike ride to Lake Matheson where I could just see the snow covered top of Mount Cook (NZ's highest mountain) through the clouds for all of about 2 minutes. I stayed the night at the very good Ivory Towers hostel and then caught a bus down to Wanaka, where I had to kip at the ropey but laid back Bullock Creek Backpackers. I suppose it was worth going for the most amusing Puzzling World and to get lost in their giant maze. They had an illusion room where a load of 3D faces follow you, that was well quality.

Then yet another bus to adrenaline city - Queenstown - there's more activities to do in this place than anywhere on the planet I reckon. Today I went on a white water rafting trip down the Kawarau river. It wasn't a bad trip and quite good fun, but the river was low and very tame. You could even float down a couple of the rapids in your life-jacket after jumping off the raft!

By JamesReed on 26.04.04 @ 07:19 AM GMT