Back on the bus again. The last two days have been great. Arrived in Franz Josef, and immediately loved our lodgings at the Rainforest Retreat. This place was amazing. Cabins, treehouses, dorms, privates, a huge kitchen area, sauna, spa, and a really fun restaurant/bar; all for $30 a night! We had a 4 person cabin that we shared with two guys from Holland. When we asked them their names the first said Guss, but it sounded like Goose and he said that was fine. So from then on we called them Goose and Maverick. Our first night was pretty mellow, took our first shower in 2 days, had a couple beers at “happy hour” made another ham sandwich, ate some ramen, and went to bed. Slept in till almost 11:30 the next day, and then it was off for a day of hiking. On the trail by 1:00 we didn’t return until 6 or so. We started out of town and headed toward the glacier.
So amazing. This is one of the only glaciers in the world that is surrounded by rainforest and almost at sea level. We were literally walking through the rainforest to reach the glacier. It had rained the entire day before so we were told that we could not make it all the way to the glacier. Bummed but determined we hiked as close as they told us we could, about 1000 meters from the base of the glacier. At this barrier we saw that the only thing standing in our way was a fairly good sized stream. We talked about crossing it, and before I knew it Trev’s shoes were off and he was crossing the stream. Naturally I followed.
Two more crossings and about an hour walk and we were standing at the base of the glacier. Walking through this empty valley, surrounded by lush vegetation, flanked by numerous waterfalls, and staring at our destination ahead of us, the Franz Josef glacier… Absolutely incredible!
Shortly we reached this big piece of ice and began taking pictures in futile hope that we could somehow capture the experience on film. We tried hard. Both snapping pictures till our cameras died, but never were able to do the glacier any justice.
Not wanting to leave but knowing we had to, we began our walk back to the cabin and to make some much needed dinner. First real meal in a while, an entire box of pasta, sauce, and steamed broccoli. I guess we needed some nourishment! Took a shower, headed to the bar to play some cards and have a couple beers. Slept like a champ and now heading further south into Wanaka. Six hour bus ride ahead of me. Going to enjoy the scenery. Pause, bus just broke down. Think it might be more than 6 hours…
No comments:
Post a Comment