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From Arthur's Pass, we drove west to the coast & then south along the coast until we reached the town of
Franz Josef Glacier. We stopped several times on the coast of the Tasman Sea and could see the mountains
and snow from many miles away. We took a 45 minute helicopter tour to get a birds eye view of Franz Josef
Glacier, Fox Glacier, Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier - see the 2 video clips below.
Franz Josef Glacier. We stopped several times on the coast of the Tasman Sea and could see the mountains
and snow from many miles away. We took a 45 minute helicopter tour to get a birds eye view of Franz Josef
Glacier, Fox Glacier, Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier - see the 2 video clips below.
Click on any photo to see a larger view
We were amazed at how
thick the rain forest was
and at the wide variety of
plants & ferns that we
had never seen before.
thick the rain forest was
and at the wide variety of
plants & ferns that we
had never seen before.
Stopping on the west coast of the South
Island. The Tasman Sea was too cold for
us to wade in.
We could see the snow capped mountains
not too far away - I think this is a good picture.
Island. The Tasman Sea was too cold for
us to wade in.
We could see the snow capped mountains
not too far away - I think this is a good picture.
Our cabin at Franz Josef Glacier
and the view out the front door.
In town I had venison one night
and rack of lamb the next. This
is roughing it.
I think we had the biggest vehicle
in New Zealand!
and the view out the front door.
In town I had venison one night
and rack of lamb the next. This
is roughing it.
I think we had the biggest vehicle
in New Zealand!
Another view of the glacier when
zooming from the front porch of our
cabin. See the sunlight on the top
of the mountain.
zooming from the front porch of our
cabin. See the sunlight on the top
of the mountain.
We were all smiling -
the helicopter ride
was most excellent!
the helicopter ride
was most excellent!
We landed on Franz
Josef Glacier in a flat
spot. Took some good
pictures and threw
snowballs
Josef Glacier in a flat
spot. Took some good
pictures and threw
snowballs
Larry finally got in the front seat.
I was scared that he was going to
drive the helicopter
I was scared that he was going to
drive the helicopter
The view from downtown Franz Josef
Glacier is much nicer than any view
from Dallas. We hiked up the valley
to the very end of the glacier. This
was about an hour hike over a rocky trail
Glacier is much nicer than any view
from Dallas. We hiked up the valley
to the very end of the glacier. This
was about an hour hike over a rocky trail
We all had to do
heroic poses looking
off into the sunset
heroic poses looking
off into the sunset
The end of Franz Josef Glacier. Like most other glaciers,
it is shrinking. It is hard to tell how big it is from pictures,
but the end appear to be about 150 feet tall.
It is pretty dangerous to stand at the very end as ice may
fall - we jumped over every warning sign
it is shrinking. It is hard to tell how big it is from pictures,
but the end appear to be about 150 feet tall.
It is pretty dangerous to stand at the very end as ice may
fall - we jumped over every warning sign
New Zealand May 2006 - Franz Josef Glacier
