Feb 22, 2018 - Fox Glacier, New Zealand

We woke up on Tour Day 8 to a crisp, cool day and snow on The Remarkables. Fortunately, it was all at higher elevations as this was a moving day. We left Queenstown and headed out to cross over the Southern Alps to view glaciers and to learn about life on the west coast. New Zealand has its own “Napa Valley” wine country in the Otago Region near Cromwell, and we headed that way for a little wine tasting. On the way, we stopped for a break at Jones’s Fruit Stall. This was our chance to sample locally grown produce and Manuka honey. So,...

Oct 17, 2017 - Ice cold!

Woke a bit early this morning... some of us scheduled a helicopter ride to the top of that glacier to hike around. Unfortunately, the weather during the hike was predicted to get really bad so they had to cancel the flight. Instead we did a walking tour to a lookout point for the glacier. It was still amazing how much power the glacier had in creating the canyon. We even got close enough to put our hands on the water that was melting from the glacier... it honestly felt colder than ice water! After the hike we jumped on the bus, and left...

Oct 16, 2017 - A whole new world!

Tour started today. Bus was a bit late, but finally arrived and the 8 of us jumped on the bus to fill the empty seats. Everyone else on the bus has been on tour for 13 days. But being the extrovert I am, chatted with everyone. Leigh, our driver, took us thru Arthur's Pass. It's the shortest distance from Christchurch to Fox Glacier. Almost all of the road was winding along the mountain side. Absolutely stunning views of the mountains, valleys, streams, and rivers.  We passed a small rick formation called Castle hill... looks like castle...

Oct 5, 2017 - Wanaka to Fox Glacier

October 5, 2017 Dinner last night at Relish was wonderful! There were very few diners and all but 2 were Asian. Our host told us that the Asians typically come right after ski season in September. I wanted to have two starters as I typically do. We both got the chicken pate with rose jelly and toasted ciabatta. Well, one would have been good for us both and it was delicious. I then had sea weed wrapped Akiora salmon tempura sweet chile dipping sauce and salad. Bob had rack of lamb, feta cheese on a fennel puree with diced carrots. Very...

Mar 11, 2016 - The Glaciers

Travelled from Motueka to Fox Glacier- most of the way we followed the train line until we actually had to drive on the track to cross a bridge! No lights or warnings just drive on. Hiked up to both glaciers and then round Lake Matheson which was beautiful but not doing its famous reflection. Theo was excited to see Mts Cook and Tasman which are snow-topped. Bought some woolly hats as we head South- sunny but chilly at night. Glad to see the South Islanders at least have heard of heating!! There are a lot of tourists still- hoping to...

Mar 5, 2015 - Fox Glacier

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – New Zealand chapter on The West Coast has to say about the Fox Glacier: “Fox is smaller and quieter than Franz Josef, with a farmy feel and more open aspect. Lake Matheson is a highlight, as is the beach and historic walk down at Gillespie’s Beach. From the car park, the terminal face is 30 to 40 minutes’ walk. How close you can get to it depends on conditions. Obey all signs: this place is dangerously dynamic.” KAPOORS ON THE ROAD It was a bright sunny morning in the town of Fox...

Jan 19, 2015 - South Island West Coast

From Abel Tasman National Park we headed south along the western coast, stopping at Pancake Rocks. This unusual land formation reminded Fran and I of the "Integrated man," a nickname we gave a statue on the Esplanade near the frat during college. We had to suspend camping temporarily due to some serious rainstorms near the town of Fox Glacier, where we stayed to wait out the storm. Although clouds obscured the glaciers, we still enjoyed a brief wet hike around Lake Matheson and dutifully checked out both Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers...

Mar 13, 2014 - West Coast

Woke up to gray, had a cold breakfast, and got on the road as it started to rain. Our first stop was the visitor center in Haast. Not only did we get a map and restrooms, they had a very good exhibit on the area. It included information on whitebait, which appears to be a local delicacy of juvenile fish (minnows) that are cooked in batter or eggs, and eaten whole. We chose to pass. We also learned about phosphorus in the soil – like in areas with heavy rainfall the phosphorus can leach out and forests can’t grow because they don’t have this...

Mar 11, 2014 - DAY 16: Wanaka to Fox Glacier

As expected, today's journey brought a distinct change in the weather. We left Wanaka in glorious sunshine, but as we worked our way through the Haast Pass the skies became increasingly cloudy and the temperature dropped by a good 10 degrees. The scenery was as dramatic and stunning as ever, as breathtaking new vistas opened up around almost every corner. Little-by-little though our 'wow-factor' threshold is being raised, so it now takes something really special to make us stop and take notice (and photos!). We stopped for lunch at Ship...

Dec 21, 2013 - Lake Wanaka - Fox Glacier

Ripley's believe it or not museum in Wanaka Drive to Fox galcier Beautiful Mount Aspiring national park and crossing off the mountain pass (sometimes can be closed due to rock falls or inclement weather. check ahead Along the way road cuts into rocks and create massive overhangs of rock on top of the car Fox Glacier view point hike through thick jungles (not actual glacier hike that will be tomorrow) Fox Glacier Inn Sullivan Road Fox Glacier Accommodation were backpacker style with common kitchen. Of all the accommodation this was ranked...

Feb 2, 2013 - Fox Glacier

What a lovely location. Up early for breakfast with our hosts and guests. Having had a chat with Lee we had decided to drive to Gillespies Beach and walk the gold rush walk and lagoon. The beach was empty and covered with shells and driftwood. Good fun foraging. We the drove to Lake Matheson to walk the circuit around the lake. An area of the lake was reputed to be so calm that it reflected the mountains in its water. Not that day it didnt. The walk was challenging but enjoyable. After that we visited Fox glacier and climbed as close to the...

Feb 1, 2013 - Misty Peaks

It was still dark when we had to get up this morning! We had to catch the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth. After a somewhat disappointing breakfast left curling from the night before by our host we caught a taxi to the station and checked our luggage onto the luggage compartment and took our seats on the train. The train had huge windows and a viewing carriage where you could take photographs from. Unfortunately we were advised that Arthur's Pass, a tunnel en route to Greymouth was experiencing communication difficulties and that we might...