Another day, another glacier.
Today we left the Chateau Franz and headed up to the Franz Josef glacier. We didn’t go all the way to the end of the viewing path, mainly because it involved several quite steep sections at the last, but we had a great view from where we ended. The bulk of the path was broad and easily accessed. There were lots of people of all ages including some quite little ones being cajoled and coaxed by their parents away from all the enticing stones to play with. The shape of the snow/ice on top of the glacier was fascinating, and I pulled the term Penitentes out of my dusty brain.
After that we took off in the general direction we were headed but took a detour towards a white heron sanctuary. We didn’t really want to go on a jet boat tour, but as we approached the building, there in the estuary was indeed a white heron. I clearly saw it and enjoyed watching it fly away on its huge wings but my photo was iffy, so you’ll have to take my word for it.
From there we wandered up the west coast, along the shore, through small towns (hello Ross!) and up to the Bealey Hotel. Along the way we saw lots of examples of unstable mountains and land and a wonderfully engineered solution protecting one bit of highway just before Arthur’s Pass. Now we’re settled for the night in a lovely big space with kitchenette, lots of beds to choose from and a very nice bar and restaurant just up the drive. In fact while we were having dinner tonight, the folks got up from the next table and ducked out and when we looked out the window – there they were looking at a kea!
We did have a delicious dinner tonight – rump of lamb with scalloped potatoes and veggies plus a dollop of mint jelly. This was not the weird green jelly but mostly clear with finely minced mint in it. I had a Monteith’s Black.
Gorgeous pictures.