We had a bit of a drive ahead of us today as we were heading all the way up to Fox Glacier. We started early as we needed to get some shopping in and because we wanted to have the time to make stops on the way up. The first stop was at Arrowtown (another lord of the rings location) but also a pretty town. Then onto Wanaker for a midmorning coffee. As it happened today was the day for the Wanaker challenge; an iron man race. We had encountered the cycle race on the way down from Queenstown and then came face to face with the road race when we got into town. The town was a hive of activity and there was a great happy, buzzy, sunny feel around town which we sat and soaked up while inhaling our coffee.
On the road again we traveled a couple more hours before finding yet another stunning lunch spot.
We then realised the route was in fact littered with scenic stops and so we indulged in quite a few leg stretch/photo stops on route. Below are photos of the Gates of Haast, Thunder Falls and the Poor Knights rocks.
Then our final stop was when we reached the sea at Bruce Bay, a long stretch of white shaggy sea line. The beach was covered with endless driftwood and a multitude of pretty rock sculptures which people must have been creating and adding to as they visit. We contributed to the art effort too although the one featured below is not our work). The only downside of the beach was the invasion of sand flies that pestered us from start to finish and put an early stop to Eric and Rob's stone skimming.
Half an hour later we arrived in Fox Glacier village which I seem to be be quite taken by. The high street consists of about three cafes, four helicopter ride shops and a hotel but it has a alpine, middle of nowhere feel about it. Our campsite here is very good too. The nice lady here helped get some future bookings made, we had our usual early evening beer and then Rob cooked us monkfish whilst we have this amazing sunset over the hills and fox glacier.
Tomorrow's main event is our morning helicopter ride over the glaciers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We don't have to be there until 9.15am and so we're going to have a little sleep in to prepare ourselves. The experience will definitely test Rob's fear of hights and escalate quickly to one of the most exciting things we've ever done.
Wow!!! It really looks like you guys are having the most fantastic time. Who is taking the photos? They are amazing! (Incidentally, was that Shirley behind you in the cafe??!)
ReplyDeleteTom says 'hello' and thanks you for his birthday message. Tom and James are going to see 'the mighty Col U' this afternoon as a birthday 'treat'. No more snow here.... just lots of rain!
Have lots of fun, we are really enjoying the blog!
Love
Sarah
xxxxx