Franz Josef Glacier walk

Today we did an 8-hour guided glacier walk on the Franz Josef Glacier. Despite the fog and heavy rainfall it was a great experience - it is pretty special to walk on a glacier in the middle of a rain forest. Unfortunately, the internet cafe I am reporting to you from has no support for my Cybershot - so pictures will come later. Meanwhile, you might learn a little about the history of the glacier:

Julius von Haast, geologist and explorer, named Franz Josef Glacier in 1863, after the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Approximately 7000 years old, and a remnant of a much older and larger glacier which originally swept right to the sea, Franz Josef Glacier extends 12 kilometres from its three feeder glaciers in the high snow fields of the Alps. Today the terminal face is a mere 19 kilometres from the sea and just 5 kilometres from the township.

On our way to the glacier we passed these beautiful falls

I got this shoot of the glacier from my private chopper

Early Maori called this place Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere - The Tears of the Avalanche Girl (Hinehukatere). Hinehukatere loved climbing in the mountains and persuaded her lover, Tawe, to climb with her. Tawe fell from the peaks to his death. Hinehukatere was broken hearted and her many, many tears froze to form the glacier.

Tears or not - we had a great time. Tomorrow we head for Arthur's pass to do some tramping for a couple of days before moving on to Christchurch.