So the convoy of the truck and the car has now completed 3 legs of our journey northward. Sad to leave Wanaka – it has been a place of joy for us. We will be back!! Leg 1 took us back into the horror weather of the West Coast. Yep, it was windy and wet with sporadic short periods of sun bursting through. Enjoyed the road though, but driving Little Blue, my Impreza rather than riding. Had to stop in Haast to remind me what a desolate place it is.
The photo above was Wanaka on Friday, 9th December. Weather not wonderful at that stage but it did clear later on. This is a view that will remain with us as we head north and until we return again.
Last view of Lake Wanaka and the only photo worth keeping of the Fantail Falls (on the Eastern side of Haast Pass) due to the zillion sandflies that descended like a haze to start eating my lily white legs as soon as I got out of the car! I should’ve known this would happen. End result: I didn’t get out of the car again until I got to Haast where I could run into a shop.
Arrived in Franz Josef to join with lots of tourists. Spent a great hour soaking in the hot pools. Ngai Tahu are making a killing: $27 each!! The NZMCA camp in FJ is great – away from the bustle of this tiny tourist town. Rob enjoyed his evening at a local bar watching the Joseph Parker fight once he cottoned onto a local who had a Local’s card. This effectively meant that instead of paying the tourist price of $18 for a rum & coke, he paid $9. I think this blatant price gouging and the chronic abuse of tourists is not on. It certainly is not the Kiwi way.
Photo on the left is Bruce Bay. It was blowing a gale but it felt awesome to be back beside the sea and……. the sun was shining, at least momentarily! On Sunday morning did a quick walk (about an hour 1/2 return) up to the bottom of the Glacier. It is magnificent. You don’t get to enjoy the serenity of the place with helicopters choppering over the top of you but the view is well worth the little hike.
I would guess we are still a good 1 1/2 – 2 kms from the ice line to give you an idea of how massive the glacier is. The air is tangily clear, the bush pristine and the waterfalls are spectacular as you walk the track to here.
Leg 2 of our travels took us from Franz Josef back to Lake Brunner. We were initially going to stay around Hokitika but the wind drove us inland. Iveagh Bay is handy to do a ride over Arthur’s Pass which we did this morning in the pouring rain. Broken down diesel truck on the steep parts above the rock shelter meant it was very slow trip back. Just as well because the road was treacherous in the rain. Will upload photos of this little hike when they eventually upload into my drive from my phone. So, this afternoon have driven from Iveagh Bay north to the quaint (I use the word with hope deep in my heart!) little town of Murchison. Since the earthquakes this little town has become a hive of trucks guzzling every which way and I think the locals are over it. Staying tonight at the Kiwi Park campground – washing, showering etc. We’re getting there though, tomorrow night we are on the ferry and then we are back in the North Island.
It’s raining, the sandflies are biting, and I’m on a Fast day. Not a good combination but writing this has eased the grizzling a bit.
hartsintheredgoldcirrus 