Franz Josef Glacier Walk

Hello!!! Have any of you ever been on a glacier??? Well I spent 5 hours hiking in the RAIN whilst on the roadtrip to experience the Franz Josef glacier. Those who know me will know that I am NOT a sporty person and hate walking up hills! And especially IN THE RAIN! 

We had to wear special (and yes I looked special indeed) 'tramping' (the word for hiking here in NZ) shoes, trousers and jackets, with a BUM BAG for our cramp ons (which are like spikes you attach to your feet to help you on the ice). UGH!

I don't know WHAT the bf looked like pre-waterproofs!!!!!

Bumbag, clumpy shoes and sad trousers - what a trend!!!

On the bus to the starting point...

 For the first hour my shoes rubbed me but I was too embarrassed to tell the guide because I didn't want to seem like a complaining diva. But in the end it got so bad I had to sit on a rock in the rain and have the guide strap my ankles up with sticking plaster. It made SUCH a difference I should have done it earlier!!

It was a 90 minute walk to the foot of the hill...

Who pays over $100 for this?! Smurfs!!

Where's the cafe?! ;)

This was the part where we'd finally hiked up to the start of the glacier....

When we finally reached the glacier it was actually super stunning. I admitted to the bf that despite all my moaning, it was really cool to see the glacier. Next time I would pay the extra for a helicopter TO the glacier though ;)

The only problem was the rain - we'd all brought a picnic which we couldn't sit and eat and it was really hard to get photos because the camera kept getting soaked. Shame.

In an ice cave!

Look behind you!!!

Glacier waterfalls

WET all the way to my underwear.....and I'd never been so glad to see a complimentary hot chocolate in my life!!!

After the trip we had a 6 hour car drive to our next destination. Needless to say I was over the moon to find a plush hotel room with under-floor bathroom heating when we arrived!! Hahaha.

How is your weekend??

A quickie: I'm excited!

Hi all, a quick break from my road trip pics today! I have the pics of my glacier hike (aka worst day ever!!) for tomorrow. But you may recall I mentioned that I'd won a $75 USD voucher for Shopbop from Aprilia's blog....well I FINALLY spent it today! It has been itching in my mailbox for almost a week!!!

After uhhhmmmming and ahhhhhing for a week, here's the baby I ordered:

Michael Kors Jet Set Watch

If you have been following me for a wee while, you may also recall my earlier watch debates here! Well I have finally made a decision and I am excited for this to arrive. Apparently they deliver worldwide for FREE in under three days - watch this space!!

I am also hoping I don't have to pay duty fees - I have no idea the rules and regs of these though!

Have you ever bought from Shopbop? Or do you have another amazing online shop to share??? :)

Road Trip: Christchurch to Punakaiki to Franz Josef

Hi all, it's been hard to cut down the photos of this trip because everything in the South Island is so darned scenic!! Some photos are on my bf's camera, and some are on Ed's huge camera, so you are in luck as I won't be tempted to spam you with even MORE shots!

Ed is better now - he made a great recovery and even joined my bf and I with 8 friends at an engagement dinner on Friday night after being released from hospital just hours earlier!! He's back in the sunny Bahamas now where he can recoup in the heat!

Snow in Christchurch!

The bf and his sister!

My "brother-in-law" having fun in the snow!!

Arthur's Pass is in the background

The West Coast

Trying to keep the glamour with some red lippy!!!

This is a tradition I started several years ago whilst driving around Madeira so I always try and get this shot on holidays!

A bar in Franz Josef - before the dreadful glacier hike the next day!!

Ed played in a pool tournament. A girl won!!

How was your weekend?? :)

Roadtrip Day One: Wellington - Nelson - Kaikoura - Christchurch

On day one we woke early, flew to Nelson and picked up a car to drive all the way down to Christchurch. Here are some pics - spectacular scenery!!

Nelson - gorgeous!!

The bf and his uni friend from the Bahamas!

There was JUST about room for me with all the bags ;)

Rear cooler - is it just me that finds this funny?!

Coffee break in a random little town

The loos - I actually walked in on a middle-aged lady doing her business - UGH!! Lock the door lovey!!!

Smiles!

Cruising.....

Seals!

Lunch at Kaikoura

 

Me waving at my shadow!!! Hahahaha

The new Uggs!

 

Our car and views over Kaikoura

It was dark by the time we arrived in Christchurch!

What a busy day we had!

Our friend Ed from the Bahamas is now in hospital with toxic tonsillitis - OMG!!!!! He has been there 24 hours and they are letting us know if he is to be released later this evening. He is due to fly back to the US on Sunday so fingers crossed he has recovered by then!

What are your weekend plans?? TGIF!!

And....I'm back!!

Hi all, I have missed you ALL!!! I didn't get onto the internet other than ONCE when I was away, so as you can imagine I had severe withdrawal symptoms!!!

So after 9 days road-tripping in the South Island, I am back and shattered! And have work tomorrow!

We DID get our flights cancelled last Monday due to snow, so changed them and flew to a place called Nelson and hired another car to drive down to Christchurch where we picked up our original car. Busy times!!

This is the small plane that took us to Nelson - teeny weeny!!!

The green goddess we hired for the trip - crammed full of snowboards and suitcases!!

I drank WAY too many of these to keep warm (my excuse) so need to hit the gym tomorrow!

And survived some pretty freezing temperatures!

I will start uploading some proper pics of my trip tomorrow. Our friend from the Bahamas is still here, and is currently visiting an out of hours doctor with a really bad throat - cold weather eh!!

 

I was VERY excited to learn yesterday that I won Aprilia's giveaway!!!! I have a $75 voucher for Shopbop.com and think i will finally treat myself to a new watch for my collection!!

This is the first competition I have ever one so I am VERY PLEASED!! Thanks Aprilia!!

(PS Check out her blog!) 

 

How have you all been???? Fill me in and spare no details!!!