Route 6 - Franz Josef to Queenstown

Where in the world can a person drive for four hours and encounter a beautiful seaside, temperate rain forest, glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, high alpine lakes and stunning mountain passes? New Zealand!

I could say a lot about how beautiful, how jaw-dropping, blah blah blah... But here is the true testament to this route: Neither kid touched an electronic device for the WHOLE DRIVE! Well, except to take pictures. It was that good.  Here are the photos.

Before we get to the pretty stuff, here's Allison
bravely trying chicken flavored potato chips

Tasman Sea. No buildings around for miles and miles.





Just another waterfall off the road along the way on State Route 6 - the west coast of New Zealand.

Trying to cross without falling in

Checking the water temperature!

Skipping stones - who can get it across with the most skips?

Hiking along the riverbank

First glimpse of Lake Wanaka

John walking down to see the view of Lake Wanaka.

Allison and Cameron at Lake Wanaka

Every bridge on this route is very narrow and only one lane wide

Lake selfie

The road to Queenstown through Cardrona Canyon

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

Today we rode in a helicopter over Franz Josef / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere and Fox / Te Moeka o Tuawe glaciers.

Interesting notes on the Maori glacier names. Hine Hukatere and Tuawe were lovers. When Tuawe died, the place where his body came to rest formed the Te Moeka o Tuawe (or Fox) Glacier. At his death, Hine Hukatere was so distraught and cried for so long that her tears formed the Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (or Franz Josef) Glacier.  If you ask me, these are much better stories than being named for Prime Minister of New Zealand Sir William Fox after he visited in 1872. Or being named for Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria (and uncle to Archduke Franz Ferdinand) by a German explorer (Julius von Haast).

Spectacular is an understatement. We were treated to the most amazing, cloudless day. Looking at the photos, it hardly looks real. Here are some highlights:

The helipad with the mountains and Franz Josef Glacier behind

Our helicopter coming in for us to board

Any facial analysis experts out there? I can't tell if Cameron is excited to be flying in a helicopter.

Looking out the window (toward the rear of the helicopter) to the rain forest and Tasman Sea

On approach to Fox / Te Moeka o Tuawe Glacier

We were able to get out of the helicopter and
walk around the glacier for a while

It was stunning. Warm and very (very!) sunny

John and Cameron

Family photo!

Allison checking out the snow with the helicopter behind

After some time outside, we got back on the helicopter and began the return flight. We flew from the Fox / Te Moeka o Tuawe Glacier over the Franz Josef / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Glacier and back to where we started

Allison looking at the Fox River heading out to the Tasman Sea

Coming in for a landing

Abel Tasman National Park, heading South in NZ

Our last day in Nelson was spent at Abel Tasman National Park. Allison and Carol kayaked along the coast with a guide and a few other kayakers.  

With choppy water and Allison's arm still in a sling, Carol would have her work cut out for her!

Luckily the wind slowed up and the paddling was easier than expected. 

Along the way they saw quite a few seals and rays and paddled up the coast about three hours.

At the start, the four of us took a boat taxi to the kayak launch beach.  Cameron and I opted not to kayak due to the rough water.  We thought an overland return might be a better option.  The guide told us there was a 7 km trail back to our starting point at Marahau and that it should take 2 hours to hike.   They all paddled away and left us on the beach alone. We hiked up a very steep path to the trail and saw this sign...



What we thought would be 2 hours and 7 km, was in fact 12.2 km and 4 hours.  We had no water, no map, no cell service, and we were wearing flip flops. There were no other options for a way back. We decided to hike non stop and as fast as we could wearing flip flops. We made it in three hours and had a great time. All of the other hikers that we passed were fully outfitted with packs, boots, poles. We got quite a few looks as we sped along in our footwear! Luckily the weather cooperated. No rain and not too hot!

Final stretch - very sore feet but we made it!

Here's some more of the scenery along the way:

Today we drove to the Franz Josef Glacier.   We'll spend the night here and, weather permitting, get a helicopter tour of the glaciers tomorrow.  Fingers crossed.

Along the drive today, a tree fell and blocked the road.  We missed it by just a few minutes.  It blocked traffic for about an hour until the trucks arrived with chain saws to cut it up.  Everyone stuck in traffic got out and socialized, set up their gear, had snacks and drinks. It was without question the most pleasant traffic jam we've ever seen.

No worries, mate. Just set up a picnic!

Our first look at the glaciers beyond the palm trees - photo below. We've never seen rainforest and glaciers at the same time.   

We understand why they call these mountains the "Southern Alps"

Kiwi sighting along the way

First days in Nelson NZ

We are spending a week here in Nelson, New Zealand and are thrilled that this is one of our longest stays. Nelson suits us well.   Beautiful weather, low key, lots of nice restaurants downtown, parks, bike paths, and hiking trails outside our door. Sound familiar? 

Here are a few photos of Nelson:

We have been hiking most every day and when we mention this to the locals they all say that the weather is too hot to be hiking.  Here is our weather for the week.  We wonder what they would do if it ever hit 90 degrees!

The summit  of a close hiking trail is the "center of New Zealand".  About a 30 minute steep hike up to a 360 degree lookout which happens to be the geographical center of NZ.

Centre of New Zealand

Allison hurt her shoulder and has been wearing a sling - but that hasn't slowed her down!

Cricket practice in the park. Cameron has been doing a paper on cricket and doing his best to explain the rules. We're hoping to catch a match in Australia next month.

Trying out some new park rides

The kids love these exercise stations

Miazyu Japanese Garden - built with Nelson's sister city in Japan.

Our home in Nelson - Annie's on Milton - another Airbnb.

Annie's

Studious. Definitely not watching Netflix.

  Why does all of this seem so familiar?

Nelson farmer's market. 

Famous apple cake. It was delish.

Every year Allison and I attend a "father daughter" dance back in Boulder - usually the weekend after Valentines Day.  We missed it this year so decided we would have a father daughter date night.  Last night we went out together for a fancy dinner downtown - it was a blast! Cameron and Carol made dinner at home and went to a movie.

Check out this sign on the hiking trail.  And we thought our city council is tough on dogs.  And yes, the Nelson city council posted this sign. I'm glad we didn't bring Otis!