I’ve arrived in Nelson tonight, where the YHA is lovely and where I plan to spend the next couple of days. Unfortunately the card reader on the computer isn’t working, however, so photos from the past few days will have to wait.
I had a good time in Franz Josef, although sadly the weather was really awful (warmer than on the east side of the mountains, but very wet – it even hailed one morning!). So instead of going up the glacier I just hung out with my friend Kevin. On Saturday evening we met up with Miriam and Charlotte and went to see the rugby (NZ vs. South Africa, which was fun although the All Blacks lost) and then took in a bit of the Franz Josef nightlife. All I’m saying is “pole dance competition”… *g*
Yesterday I took the bus to Punakaiki. I’d seen the famous pancake rocks there twice before, as the bus to Nelson always stops there, but this time, following Anna’s recommendation, I stayed one night at the YHA there. It was totally worth it, although without a car you’re pretty much stuck at the hostel. But I didn’t mind that in the least, because I was in a separate bungalow with five very nice backpackers from Ireland, Canada and South Africe, and the hostel is situated in the middle of the rain forest, only a short walk from a breathtaking beach. I can’t wait to share the dozens of photos I took there… The west coast of the South Island is truly one of the most spectacular places in the whole country!
Okay, enough for today, hopefully the next update will be with pictures… I don’t even want to think about the fact that in less than two weeks I’ll be in Australia!