Well if you think I've been overstating the scenery in past blogs, I think its best to let some photos do the talking - or you'll think I've finally lost it on kiwijiuce.

Before leaving Franz Josef, we tanked up with fuel (a rediculous $1.80 here compared with 1.55 east coast, and 1.40 north island) and drove to the trailhead so as to walk up to the glacier face. Lots of other people had the same idea, so it prooved a bit of a tourist trek.

This is a fast moving glacier, some 70 cm each week. Along the off track scree bed you can see how the past forces of ice and rock grinding thier way down have scoured out waves in the cliff walls.



But it was worth the effort, as a glacier is a glacier and as we dont get to see one very often, or get the chance to hear one growling from up close.




The sun was up and hot, and once we'd had enough we got back down, turned up the asircon, and pointed the van due south for Wanaka, our overnight campsite en-route for Queenstown.

Initially the road took us to Fox Glacier, another small township like Franz Josef, also named after a glacier sitting high above. Both towns sounded like the opening scenes from MASH with helicopters flairing in alongside the road to take on and dicharge passengers. At one time 3 came in following one another. War zone for tourist trade.

We scoffed a couple of kiwi meat pies from the local store, sitting on its wooden boardwalk and kicking our heels watching all this action.



Then the road wound its way towards the coast, and we got a chance for some stunning views from Knights Point.



We then whooshed through the somewhat deserted township of Haast, as the road bent inland and up to the Haast Pass. close by Mount Buller (2515 metres) in Mount Aspiring National Park. Then down wide valleys with ranges either side, through Mekarora, bucketing along at 100 kph. This would be superb driving in a sports car or on a motorbike (even a scooter), but it was impressive enough in the truck.

Without doubt the best days driving I've ever done,



As we came down a pass between two ranges, we saw the top end of Lake Wanaka open up before us. Its huge! Its empty. Like a deserted inner sea.



About half way down the right side of this lake, the road cut up away from Lake Wanaka, through another short pass, and down to the adjacent Lake Hawea. Its all so fabulous you begin to wonder whats coming next.



We finally got to the base of Hawea to roll up over a short bridge before going up a steep bluff, and again were dropping down to the base of Lake Wanaka where its small but trendy township is laid out along the shingle 'beach'. No sandflies here.




Our campsite was maybe 3 klm out of town wand itself had had stunning views, but once we'd secured our spot we drove back into town for a needed beer and feed. Met up with a lovely couple from Western Australia also on vacation and ended up sharing a table for our evening meal.

We slept like logs despite it being a warm night, and Tuesday early we decamped to park the truck back by the beach. I topped up my bronzie whilst Sue found a hairdresser she trusted, then we hired a catamaran and got out on the water. Chilly water, but lovely zipping along in the warm breeze on one of these.



After lunch we headed off the last 100 klm to Queenstown. You may not make it out, but its about 10 km down this hill.



Its packed with people of all ages and nationalities aiming to loosen thier bowels doing something you'd not normally do. And preparing themselves using demon alchohol at one of the many waterfront bars. Needless to say, we joined in......



Sues already drwan up her shortlist, and it begins tomorrow with some grade 4 white water rafting. I've been trying to work our kiwi grading, and think that means you have to wash your underpants four times when you get back.

I'll let you know once I've done it!

Cheers

John