Feb 26, 2020

 We had an early and dark start heading off at 7am to get to Fox Glacier comfortably by 11am to book in for our 11.30am 30minute Franz Josef & Fox Glacier flight with a snow landing and we got to do it this time because the cloud was actually not as low or dense as last time.

 

A wander to the street for a pizza dinner last night helped us take some pics and the first was one of the local fire brigade doing a promotion shot.

 

The old fire station now apartments and another grand old building yet to be refurbished. The town was built with gold money hence the grand layout of the streets and the proportions of buildings.

 

And a school.

 

Mmmm, cloud not clearing very well.

 

An awesome long one-way bridge with double passing section in the middle.

 

A welcome coffee at Hari Hari.

 

Franz Josef main street with snow in the background … cloud also.

 

And a closer view of the snow and ice.

 

Great one lane bridge just out of Franz Josef.

Before the first group set off for the helicopter ride.

 

Glaciers! Actually on top on the snowfield which contribute to many glaciers with 30m of snow a year and the snow here is around 300m deep! Note the pink tinge being smoke and ash from our Aussie bushfires.

 

Apparently this peaking is an indication of how fast the glacier is moving.

 

Awesome sight and again you can see the pink tinge and when we picked up a handful you could actually see bits of ash in it.

 

Two country kids who cannot believe how blessed they are.

 

The Pilot grabs the marker to show where he has landed so other pilots know.

 

Heading back down and yep I was fortunate enough to have the front seat where Norm was in the middle at the last minute when we ended up with two extras. Grrr..

 

And this is how they progress to the sea.

 

Our accommodation for the night, the Bella Vista Motel Fox Glacier, again a compact but functional lay out, nice and clean and hosts very helpful. Walking distance to wherever we want to go. Shorter travel time today so time for a bit of a rest.