We bid farewell to New Zealand heading up the west coast to see the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers, then cut across the Alps by way of Arthur's Pass to drive back east into Christchurch to catch our plane home. It was a whirlwind trip done in three days but the views were well worth it.
Fox Glacier was impressive because we could get right up to the front of the glacier (well a safe distance anyway) We could hear the ice groan as it cracked, the rocks covering the top of the glacier falling into unknown fissures. The wind was fierce but the sun made the glacier glow a deep blue.
Franz Joseph is said to be the more spectacular of the two glaciers but we found the rock formations on either side of the canyon to be much more impressive.
Arthur's Pass was a scenic mountain drive through the Southern Alps, unfortunately the campsite was sandwiched between the railroad and the road but the views the next morning at Bealey Spur were well worth the late night trains!
We bid farewell to New Zealand in Christchurch with a lamb roast and a glass of pinto (all from NZ of course) in a pub while watching rugby...
Arthur's Pass was a scenic mountain drive through the Southern Alps, unfortunately the campsite was sandwiched between the railroad and the road but the views the next morning at Bealey Spur were well worth the late night trains!
We bid farewell to New Zealand in Christchurch with a lamb roast and a glass of pinto (all from NZ of course) in a pub while watching rugby...