Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

Wednesday, 23 January 2008

We do a half-day trek to the face of the glacier with the Franz Josef Glacier Guides. According to the Lonely Planet, this is outfit is "reader-recommended". We are not sure why, to be honest. It seems like the guides have recently graduated from the Basil Fawlty School of Tourism. They are a pretty disinterested bunch (adopting the "Whatever dude...only in this job to get a bit of cash together for the ski season in Whistler" pose) and volunteer zero information about the glacier. This differs from the true enthusiasm of the other guides we have met in New Zealand. Despite this, the glacier is impressive - particularly when you get above the fairly mucky terminal face. At this level - where the ice is really compacted - the blue-tinged ice pillars, crevices and caves are a great sight.

After a quick lunch, we get driving again, in the direction of Greymouth, northwards along the west coast. Along the way we have to get a phonecall out of the way. The campervan had a bit of a ding against a telegraph pole in Wanaka, causing a smallish dent on the side of the van. To avoid any hassle on the day we return it, we confess all to Roydon, at the rental company. We are relieved to find he is pretty relaxed about it. As long as the van is roadworthy he isn't too bothered - a few weeks ago, another customer totalled one of his vans. Confession over - the penance will be a few dollars for the panel beater but nothing major! Phew.

To see photos click here.