The photo isn’t from my New Year’s celebration (in Christchurch), however it fits the holiday well enough. I celebrated Stephanie’s birthday in Franz Joseph along with a bunch of other STRAY bus backpackers. Cheers to 2008!
New Zealand
Scenic Views of Queenstown
Life in Queenstown returned to normal the day after Christmas. Unlike probably any other town in the world, this meant a zillion tour operators began shuffling people to face their fears jumping the 130+ meter Nevis bungy (world’s 2nd highest), skydiving from 15,000 feet, riding the world’s highest swing (109 meters), and a variety of […]
The Southern Alps, Lake Wanaka, and A Movie
Upon leaving Franz Joseph, we took in a scenic view of New Zealand’s Southern Alps from Lake Mattheson. On a good day, you’re suppose to be able to see a great reflection of the mountains (including Mt. Cook) because the lake is well protected. Unfortunately it was overcast when we were there. Another scenic stop […]
Heli-Hiking Franz Joseph Glacier
Spending a full day (6 hours ice time) hiking on the Franz Joseph Glacier on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island was something I’d been looking forward to for months. It was fully my intent to do the full day hike, however… About 3 days after I had completed the Tongariro Crossing (remember […]
Sailing South and Bone Carving
I paid for the good times in Wellington on my travel day to the South Island. I was up around 6am, took a 7am shuttle to the quay, and set sail aboard the 8:30am ferry to New Zealand’s South Island. The ferry ride was rather uneventful, and I spent a few minutes lounging in a […]
