Fox Glacier

So tired we slept through an earthquake- about 140km away in Haast, measuring 4.9!

How do you top yesterday's experience? With another glacier of course, today Fox Glacier.

A fine morning when rain had pretty much been forecast all day.

Landslide!

It's hard to get a feel for the vastness of this place in pictures. You cannot get too close to the rocks to show the scale but several silly people were wandering past the guide rails.

Glacier ahead!

The Glacier, less icy than Franz Josef, it appeared to be partially covered by rock and stones.

The view back down the valley was more stunning than the glacier itself.

And then it rained, and man did it rain! So an afternoon of journals and card games.

Prepare to be amazed, we were!

We left Greymouth and our cosy cabin and headed South for Franz Josef.

Today was all about WOW moments. Here's the first at Lake  Ianthe.

We then rocked up at a very cloudy Franz Josef but we're thrilled to see our first peek of the glacier.

Despite the rain and cloud we couldn't not do the 90 minute walk to get a better look.

The walk was bizarre, it was so still and quiet, felt like we were walking into a photo.

My boys. 

This is pretty much as close as you can get. The only way to get onto the glacier is by helicopter.

Wish the cloud had shifted, but still beautiful.

View from back down the valley.

Damp but excited we headed to our next digs. Still up for adventure, we ate and headed out early evening for more.

First stop Mountain Viewpoint. Hoping to catch a glimpse of Mount Cook but too much cloud! Still just so peaceful.

Next stop, Lake Mathison. Check out the quilty sky, WOW!

The Perfect Reflection. Still no Mount Cook but who cares, this was epic.

Wanted to stay for the sunset but we had other fish to fry.

Back into the car and through the village to the Minihaha glade.

Now, your gonna have to take my word on this but at night this mossy, tangled, twisty walk through damp woodland is lit up bthousands of tiny gloworms. We entered at sunset and all thought 'really?' But as it got dark the whole place came alive with tiny magical lights. (Which we couldn't capture on our phones). 

What an awesome day-to-day WOW!!

Hokitika

The gorgeous Hokitika Gorge. Time seemed to slow down at this place.

The milky turquoise water looked almost viscous and even the little water fall trickling into the gorge seemed to do so in slow motion.

The swing bridge was fun.

Looking up.

A Weka came after our sarnies.

And we saw a field of giant marshmallows!

Then we hit the beach looking for jade.

And came across this amazing competition about to be judged.

The little mermaids distant cousin.

Somewhere along a ley line.

Sundial.

Picture frame.

Quilted beach-loved this!

Seahorse.

Sand flies.

And the winner, Dip Me.

I'm getting Déjà vu here Pipi. Claire, did you take a pic of this? 

After a spiritual chat with a lady about stones it as back to base for an all you can eat couscous buffet!