Day 18

The glacier hike on Franz Josef was an unforgettable experience! In small groups we walked a couple of kilometres through the rainforest and rocky hills to get to the ice. I joined group two together with a girl from England named Kimberly.
Our super cool and enthusiastic tour guide Kai from Singapore had a big axe with him to cut our way through the ice! Only that way we could get deep in the heart of the glacier. We walked up, down, under and between what they call huge waves of ice. I was amazed. On our highest point approximately 600 meters above sea level we had lunch.

Close to the ice we added crampons to our enormous heavy hiking boots so we could keep grip on the ice.

 

I brought a can of tuna and some biscuits that was so needed that it felt like a feast.

On our way back Kimberly and I met Jean and Rich from Toronto who are on their honeymoon. They were really good company so we went out for pizzas and beers at the nearest restaurant where Kai also joined us.

Later I jumped in the hot pools to relax together with Kimberly, Anna (a Swedish girl from my dorm) and Norbert (a Hungarian guy also from my dorm). Indeed a perfect way of ending a day of hiking.

Day 17

Blisters, dirty clothes and sunburned shoulders – I’m starting to feel like an authentic backpacker! The 10 hours in a bus from Nelson to Franz Josef only adds up. Driving down the west side of the south island was an experience due to the spectacular nature. The most impressive stop on the trip was indisputably the famous Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki (Info: Through a layering-weathering process called stylobedding, the Dolomite Point limestone has formed into what looks like piles of thin pancakes). Tonight I’m looking at a quiet evening at Rainforest Retreat Hostel with intensions of writing my homemade postcards - look forward my favored friends! Also I want to be prepared for my full day (8 hours) Franz Josef Glacier Guides tomorrow.

The view from my bedroom window at Rainforest Retreat!

Day 16

I've spent the day in one of New Zealand’s most ‘liveable’ cities, Nelson (pop 43.500). Rumor has it that they dish up with a winning combination of great weather, beautiful surroundings, popular arts events, and a high number of charming wooden houses. I really liked this arty vibe in this city and I’m sorry I’m leaving tomorrow. Hereby promised that if I’m ever to come back to New Zealand this city is worthy of another visit!

Day 15

I arrived at Lindsay and Cathy in Richmond yesterday, it is about 15 kilometres south of Nelson city. They are members of the Servas organisation and I can stay with them for two days. It is a wonderful time to meet some locals and get away from the hostels that I have been staying at so far.

For the day I went to Abel Tasman National Park. It has golden-sand beaches, rocky outcrops and turquise inlets that I decided to experience by foot.  

The 20 kilometers was a challenge due to my sore feet, but luckily the amazing views and lunch package from Cathy gave me the energy to keep going.

On the walk I saw lots of birds, amongst others Pied Shags and California Quails). 

For dinner I made danish 'frikadeller' (flat, pan-fried dumplings of minced meat) for Cathy and Lindsay and they loved it! It has been two great days but tomorrow I am continuing to the city.

Day 14

This morning began at 4.30 AM because I wanted to swim with the dusky dolphins in open sea. It's the right spot and time to do it because Kaikoura region is renowned as one of the world's leading destinations to view marine mammals and seabirds in their natural environment. Dusky dolphins are very gregarious, living together in groups called pods, which in this region can consist of indicuduals numbering anywhere from 100 to 1000 in each pod. We found a pod of approximately 100 dolphins only 15 minutes from the shore. Their size is between 165 to 195cm - so they seem really big up close! This experience is one I definitely would't be without - I made eye contact with a group of dolphins and got to swim in circles 'talking' to them (means: saying funny noises in the snorkel). We got to spend 50 minutes in the water while more and more dolphins joined us because they wanted to play:)

Good job Leica! The dusky dolphins are known as the 'acrobats of the sea' so I had to be quick with the camera:)

Our tour group

Leica D-lux 4 met its superior! The owner is a nice german girl called Jessica Fischer and we had a coffee afterward - that was needed!

After the 3 1/2 hour dolphin encounter I took the bus to Blenheim and from there to Nelson city. It was a long drive so I had to get a banana muffin - they eat them a lot here and I think I know why :) 

fI'm staying 15 km south of Nelson city in the town Richmond with a couple called Cathy and Lindsay. Cathy is a Librarian and Lindsay is a Policy Planner. They are hosts in the organisation Servas where I'm a member to acquire some local experiences!