New Zealand. Franz Joseph

Today we had an epically long drive to Franz Joseph. We set off at the crack of dawn as usual and got to our hostel, which was beautiful, really late on in the afternoon. We did the normal kiwi ex stops along the way for walks if course. We stopped at a couple of places to see a fur seal colony and then to visit a place called pancake rocks. The seal colony was nice. Only saw about 5 seals but was pretty cool to see them playing in a rock pool and also watching one trying to  get out of the really rough sea only the rocks. 

Our next stop at pancake rocks was of course very picturesque.

We travelled along a costal road and it was so beautiful. Very similar to The Great Ocean Road I travelled in Australia with the great views and rock formations dotted along the coastline. 

When we arrived in Franz Joseph the scenery was stunning. It looked like a ski town with its chalets and mountains surrounding and snow on the peaks and the famous glacier. As we arrived late there was not much to do other than book in our trips for the following day and visit the really nice bar. 

The second day in Franz Joseph was when the fun started! I was booked into a trip called the ice explorer. We had to get to the office at 8:30 to get kitted up for the trip. After filling out a medical waiver in which I stated that I had twisted my ankle and knee a few days ago in Kaiteriteri I had a very hot guy strap up my ankle. I was very glad that I had shaved my legs for that as he was sat on the floor with my foot on his thigh. They called him Donkey. Shame I never got to find out why... ;)

After getting kitted out with waterproofs and boots and a fetching bumbag we made our way to the helipad! As the glacier is retreating so much, the only way to get on it was via helicopter. 

I was so lucky to be sat in the front for the ride up. It was really short but still amazing. The views were of course awesome. 

We landed on the glacier and got out crampons on and set off. It was pretty tame as the guide was creating stairs for us in the ice the whole way! It was definitly smaller than the glacier in Canada but still impressive. We walked though big ice ravine and tunnels and it was spectacular. The photos just don't do it justice!

At the end we got another helicopter ride back down! Such a treat and definitly made the day! 

In the afternoon we could use our glacier pass to visit some glacier hot pools. The pools were outdoors in a rainforest and were water from the glacier heated up and it was amazing. So relaxing and the ideal end to to a fantastic day. The town is just so beautiful and has the most amazing scenery with huge mountains towering over the small alpine town. The bar in our hostel was great so it was good to see the girls I'd left in other laces again and might not see again on my trip. I would definitly come back to visit here again!