Franz Joseph Glacier

Today Beth and I had a lovely time. We started our day with a nice little breakfast sitting by an outdoor fireplace and enjoying a nice coffee. We have had the most amazing coffee since we have been here. We then did another hike through the valley but this time up to Franz Joseph Glacier. We had great views with some of the only sun of the day. This whole area is temperate rainforest so it is usually cloudy and rainy but we have been so lucky and not had a lick of rain! It was very different hiking across tons of rocks and boulders that Beth described as a lunar landscape. We then took a little detour, of course, for me to climb some rocks and explore the base of a few waterfalls. We then drove a few miles down to the coast to walk along though the wetlands and walk along the beach where the sun was shining and we had some time for me to pick some unique rocks up from the coastline, which we later found out was the Expensive New Zealand green stone or Jade! We then drove back to town for a little relaxation at the Glacial Hot Pools, and a leisurely dinner and the local bar. We then waited until dark, around 9:30, so we could do a short walk to a nearby cave to see some glowworms! I was so excited, so beth and ventured out in the dark with my head lamp and some flash lights, get all the way up the hill and are about to go into the cave and find a sign that tells us the track is closed due to flood damage… L BOOO! So we turned around, and went back to the room and watched the end of the Wellington Sevens, Rugby matches. All in all a pretty awesome day!!!