One of the great things about New Zealand is the wide diversity of landscapes that are dotted about the two islands, with often dipolar environments in relatively close proximity. That's why we were able to drive from the balmy beaches of Abel Tasman to the frosty heights of Franz-Joseph glacier in about seven hours; and that was at a leisurely pace.
With oceans, dolphins, seals, stingrays and kayaks behind us, we now find overselves in rainforests, keas (indigenous parrot), ice and snow. Swimming trunks swapped for winter coats.
We hiked up to the face of Franz-Joseph glacier this morning. I have never seen a glacier in the flesh (or should that be 'in the ice'?) before, and I had always assumed that the strange blue-tinged quality to the ice that you see on Discovery or National Geographic was, well, a rarity, or a trick of the light; not so. Franz-Joseph was an amazing shade of translucent blue, splashed across a serrated surface that looked like it had been scored by a giant razor blade. The river that flowed from its base was a turbid gray, from both the freezing temperatures and material that the glacier had picked up during its relentless march.
I filled another memory stick with photos ... again.
I have another couple of days here, and then it is time to head slowly north, eventually to return to Auckland for the looooong flight home. This trip begins to draw to a close. It has been a series of fantastic sights, sounds and discoveries. And inspiring as well; I've filled pages of a small notebook with thoughts and ideas since I arrived; and I've still managed to keep the journal up to date. Typing it up though is going to take some time ...
