Judy Grillo
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Mountains, Lakes and Glaciers

1/12/2019

6 Comments

 

The South Island, the largest of the two main islands of New Zealand, has the most natural, picturesque landscape imaginable. The Southern Alps run the entire length of the island with 18 peaks at more than 9,800'. 

At the very top of the South Island is Abel Tasman National Park. It's home to sheltered bays and the famous Coast Track that follows the coastline through bush, cliffs and beaches. One of New Zealand's Great Walks, the Track is 51 km, and I enjoyed the first 12-14 km from Anchorage to Marahau, our base camp for 2 nights. It was a scenic, enjoyable trek with Stray pals from the Netherlands and Germany. Add this to my "top spots" that I'd definitely revisit (when I have 5 days!).

Through scenic byways, we then landed in Franz Josef, a cool little town in the rainforest, and yes, home to the glacier of the same name that's 12 km long, and one of the fastest moving. You can take a heli-hike for a mere $450 NZD (ha-ha!) or take a 10 km walk right from town to within 750m of the glacier. And yes, there are numerous hikes within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park to explore the rainforests, waterfalls and lakes. 

From there, a one-night pause in Wanaka was not enough, though the stops on the way at Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and through Haast Pass, along the rugged West coast, was an adventure all its own. Wanaka is a lively, but classy little holiday town for New Zealanders, with lakeside trails where I caught a stunning sunrise. 


Last stop (for today) -- Queenstown, billed as the "adventure capital of New Zealand" -- think bungy-jumping, sky diving, jet boating. Queenstown is the ONLY place where I heard one person beep the car horn and another use the annoying FOB! It's where I opted out of the Stray itinerary, and not only stayed at a different hostel, but day-tripped out of town. 

I hopped a bus and a cruise boat into magical Milford Sound, a fjord with cliffs that rise from the dark water and skyscraper-high mountain peaks. When I boarded the boat, I headed straight for the best viewpoint and never moved! Besides the magnificent views in every direction, I had my first sighting of penguins in the wild. Magical! 

There's one more chapter of the New Zealand adventure coming soon (honestly) as I'm almost ready to start 2019!  
 

6 Comments
Eileen
1/15/2019 10:41:50 am

Judy: Had to view photos several times and came away thinking how special this area is and that someone had the foresight to protect this beautiful landscape. Thanks for sharing.

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Judy
1/16/2019 12:47:47 pm

Eileen: Honestly, I'm so glad that I'm taking the time to revisit this trip as it was one gorgeous stop after another. I'm just now digesting all of it! One more entry coming soon! J>

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Barb LeSavoy
1/16/2019 09:02:38 pm

Hi J .. Your trip sounds amazing and your photos are interesting and lush. Love the Yurt. And the lambs. Also, your hair looks long. I really like it.

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Judy
1/18/2019 04:21:23 pm

Barb: Thanks for visiting! One more entry to go as I digest the final photos & experiences. I should be in 2019 before February :). My hair was long but was hassled! Chopped but pondering a new look again! Let's stay in touch ...j.

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Suzanne TYLER
1/17/2019 04:27:17 pm

Heaven! Penguins!!! What is the tide difference down there and what is the glacial water temp? A biologist needs to know this stuff! Hurry with chapter 3 you are worse than Outlander!

Reply
Judy
1/18/2019 04:25:27 pm

SUZ! So, this is chapter 3! so I'm caught up :)! Many reasons for the slow take on life here (from lack of wifi to good weather to just being a little, yet consciously, slow moving!) Sunday appears rainy/windy/cool so I am planning to get my arms around the final photos and thoughts and go for the finale! Glacial water temp? I'd say cold :) The only water warm enough to jump in (for me) was the Tasman Sea.but there was a British guy on the bus who jumped into the blue pools and almost every lake! Tide difference? I haven't a clue! Ask me about Bay of Fundy! Let me know if you get the answer! :). J.

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