There is just too much to do and not nearly enough time to
do it. There aren’t enough experlatives to describe the drive south from Picton
to Nelson and then onto Punakaiki’s unique pancake rock formations. The guard
rail free roads, though in very good condition, require complete concentration
and restraint from the navigator as the hair pin curves, steep cliffs and one
lane bridges will test anyone’s nerve. Fields and meadows are full of hundreds
upon hundreds of sheep, dairy cattle and beef cattle of numerous breeds. We
also have to be aware of sheep herders moving their stock by four wheelers
across the roads from one farm to another. But as a reward, the scenery is
stunning and the opal coloured rushing rivers and waterfalls mesmerize. Little meaningful
conversation is engaged in, except for the continuing ooooos, ahhhhhhs and wows.
Snow capped peaks pierce the clear blue skies and the vibrant sunshine, crowns
another perfect day.
Eventually the mountains give way to the west coast and the
breathtaking coast line. I seldom use the word awesome as it is used so frequently in the wrong
context but this drive through the mountains and along the coast has
been totally awesome! I remarked to Jennifer that I felt this was one of
the most spectacular drives we had ever done to which she responded
that she had just read that it had been nominated one of the top 10 drives
in the world as voted by Lonely Planet. Awesome! Continuous photo stops impede any real progress but
eventually we make it to the Franz Joseph Glacier site on our second day of
travel from Picton. We arrived early enough in the afternoon that we were able
to take the one and a half hour walk/hike to within 500 metres of the glacier’s
face. We also shared our experience with a Spring Bok trying to sustain life
with the barest of nutrient essentials. Many people opt for helicopter rides up
onto the glacier itself but we were quite happy to take the hike because of the
numerous waterfalls (see video) Franz Joseph Waterfall and being able to appreciate the enormity of
what mother nature did millions of years ago. Unfortunately it is only a matter
of time before many of these glaciers completely disappear, which is also
evidenced but timeline photographs, which show the rapid melt.
Gorgeous!
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