Plans can be changed. Punakaiki tomorrow!
Trip Start
Feb 05, 2010
1
10
85
Trip End
Feb 17, 2010
Greymouth, South Island, New Zealand
Monday, February 15, 2010
Yesterday: Queenstown to Franz Josef via Fox Glacier
This day started with a bit of a bang but ended happily enough.
A lot of driving, with the only just obtainable goal of getting to Fox Glacier in time to do the 2.30 Fox Trot, meant that we had to pass through the beautiful Wanaka with only time for a quick stroll across the road from the carpark and a coffee. And a piece of very yummy maple and walnut slice, embellished with huge chunks of chocolate.
A cursory glance at the Blue Pools, which were a murky green, but set in a clearing of a spellbindingly beautiful rainforest. We may be the only people on history to have jogged all the way there and back.
By day's end we were ready to take advantage of the fact that our motel was directly across the road from the famous glacier fed hot pools.
Graham and I pay for a private pool to ourselves, complete with cabana with heated floor, shower and change area. The spa was delightful, even though it is an obviously fake pool. It is set in a thick area of natural rainforest, accessible via a boardwalk. As we pass the three public pools on the on the other side of the treeline, we are grateful not to have to put up with the high-spirited, high-volume banter of those other spa users.
We emerge an hour later cleansed and relaxed. Having a hot spa in the outdoor setting, watching the steam rise off the water and being able to gaze upwards to the sky through a canopy of ferns give a whole new meaning to 'being at one with nature’.
Day 10
We depart 58 on Cron at our usual time for nicking off- 9.57am.
Our destination on the top of the list for today is Franz Josef Glacier.
It is a short drive to the National Park where all can enter for free and park then walk to the viewing points for the glacier.
Two of the tracks are accessible, so we choose the one to Peter’s Pool and here we find a lovely reflection of the mountains and glacier. I took my time getting to this viewing point as I found the trees, ferns, mosses and lichens so fascinating.
Graham, however, is all about the destination not the journey and he and Elana are patiently waiting when I eventually get there.
On the way back I point out the cairn I have created which will last into the middle of next week, given my building skills.
Graham and I go a bit further to a glacier viewing spot to get a closer look. On the way back I study the access to the stream we cross over and decide that it tastes good and clean and that I would have to come back and replace the chlorine scented eau de lake titikaka with this pure Adam’s Ale. As Graham loads the car, I jog there and back and bring 1.5 litres of totally flavourless iced water back for our journey.
After an hour of driving I decide that with no conversation from either of the passengers, it was a good time to hand over the driving to Graham.
We stop at Hokitika, a lovely beach side town where Graham is adopted by a fiercely friendly golden Labrador who brought him a huge chunk of driftwood. We are both so amused by this animal’s poor choice of play companion that Graham does something totally out of character for himself and throws the stick. Again and again, the faithful hound retrieves it.
Eventually Graham has had enough- that is after about 4 tosses of the log, and so hound offers it to me. I heft if – it is really huge and I know I won’t be able to throw it far. So I fudge a few times and that is very funny in itself- our golden friend looking skyward for the falling stick that hasn’t even left my hands.
The next time I decide to let it go, but before it leaves my hand know that disaster is looming. It rises into the air and spirals, and the dog seems to be placed directly under its landing place. No, surely not…yep, while Rover is looking heavenward for his beloved log, it descends rapidly onto his rump.
This time he brings it back to me but refuses to let go of it…he is saying, see this stick YOU can’t have it. We play tug of war with the log and eventually he relinquishes it to me then looks really nervous.
We spend a long time discovering Hokitika- eat lunch at the Deli and Cheese Room and delight in another fabulous coffee, served with a complimentary chocolate covered marzipan. We enjoy the smoked salmon quiche with asparagus and chicken and mushroom pie so much, that we are emboldened enough to order a toasted Panini with bacon and smoked chicken and smoked garlic sauce. Yummy.
We head head off down the street to the Old Sock Museum, where they have lots of antique sock making machines- reminding me of French Knitting for big people. We talk extensively to the very friendly and knowledgeable owner and then wander some more, buying peppermint and cinnamon pigs- made on another antique machine. This time it is a sweet press that looks very much like a large ravioli making attachment for a pasta machine, hand cranked and all.
Wish I’d taken a photo of both of those old machines….
Back to the car and onward to Greymouth where we will spend the night.
On arrival at the motel, Elana is surprised and delighted to find that there is a bunch of lovely red and white roses, with a mini cuddly bear awaiting her. From her Valentine. She is so confuzzled about how he would have known where to send them….
The Aachen motel is very comfortable and completely accessible, and Elana and I amuse ourselves while Graham takes advantage of being with a tour of the Montieths brewery. Dinner follows at the Coal Face restaurant where you can cook your own food on a hot stone. No complaints about things not being done to your liking, then.
Completely exhausted, I hit the sack but the sleep is broken because the lovely white, smooth sheets have been starched or something.
Graham believes it is like spending the night on the Otago Press.
I think I now know what it is like to sleep on a snare drum.
Every minute movement is broadcast by the damned bed-linen.
Relieved that day has dawned, we start our adventures anew. Roll on Day 11.
