Franz Josef: More Than Just Two Streets

November - ish 2013

Franz Josef is so small that the entire town is two roads with a couple of interconnecting streets. Its the place where everyone knows each other. I was now getting to know everyone so if I were to nip to the shops then I would probably have about 3 or 4 conversations with people on the way. But there is more to Franz Josef than just the town and as the spring rains were easing I could go out exploring.

I thought it was a about time I went and saw the glacier again as it had been a while. Just to check it hadn't all melted away yet!

Glacier Valley

I heard about a track that would take you to a viewpoint so you can see the front of the glacier. You can't actually see the glacier from the touristy view point which is a bit pointless but if you pay the glacier guides some money they take you on a guided trip through the rocks so that you can see the front of it. Or you can just walk it yourself!

Just a few rocks to scramble over

The path through the lose rocks is really stable and easy to follow so why you need a guide I'll never know. I took it really easy just in case the whole thing gave way but when I saw the bumbling asian tourists stomping up the hill following the guide I realised it was perfectly safe!

The WHOLE glacier

I got the chance to go out on the kayaks one morning in November. It was a bit of an effort getting up for 9 o'clock as I wasn't going to bed much before 4am anymore but it was very much worth it!

Awesome!

A perfect morning as far as the weather goes. Not a cloud in the sky and no wind. The lake was like a mirror and it reflected a beautiful view of the mountains!

Epic!

Mountains!

We paddled across the lake to a small creek. I was obviously a pro at kayaking! We went up the creek which was my favourite bit. Its completely untouched except for a frisbee attached to a tree to tell us where to stop. Jose our guide from South America then gave us all a bubblegum leaf to chew on. He told us that it was an accidental translation issue and he meant to say pepper leaf. My mouth was on fire!

Up the creek with a paddle!

Lake or mirror?

Living dangerously

Back at the bar, a more regular Contiki bus meant more regular themed nights. One of which was a superhero party where I decided to be a bit random and go as Professor Chaos from South Park. The only issue, apart from having to wear a box on my head all night, was no one had a clue who I was supposed to be! I gave a shot to a girl who finally got it right!

Contiki roast without costumes!

Professor Chaos!

Monkey the Coniki driver was dressed as a roadworks guy. They have a very different attitude towards roadworks here in New Zealand then they do at home! Gavin reused his Halloween outfit and went as Jesus again.

Hero?

Super team!

Argh!

There was also a Mexican party and an 80s party where Hayley made me a t-shirt.

Don't do it!

Mexican

I managed to get out of town on one of my days off for well needed KFC. Just thinking about it makes me want it again! Me and Gavin borrowed Georgie's car and drove to Greymouth. Gavin needed to sort his bank or tax thing out like I had to when I started. Thats one of things about Franz Josef, if you want to get anything done you have to make a 4 hour round trip to a town with normal places like a post office or bank.

Greymouth - grey

Obviously Greymouth was once again grey so after visiting McDonalds, KFC and Subway we headed south again stopping off at Hokitika Gorge which has unbelievably blue waters.

Hoki Gorge

Blue!

Bluer

Another awesome sunset

There were glimpses of the a summer approaching even if it was sunny for only 1 day then rain for 2 weeks before another nice day. This meant I could do a bit more exploring. There are loads of walking tracks around the town and each has a dozen places where you can go off track and really explore.

not a bad view

Exploring

greeny

bridge

another bridge

Gorge

River

Random waterfall

The sky is falling!

Now that it was warming up a bit I revisited the tunnels and went all the way through this time so I could see the glowworms at the other end without my feet freezing off.

other side of the tunnel

scary place

Glowworms!

Another river

On a rare occasion I went a drank somewhere else on a night off. I can't remember what we did or why we were out but here's some nice pictures of us at The Landing.

Gavin, Tyler, Mel, Vicky, Hayley

aaaannnd Becky

Chrismas is on its way...

Franz Josef: Settling In

October - ish 2013

When I first got here there was Tom, Julz and Georgie working on the bar. Julz left after a week of me being here to be replaced with a Kiwi called Ester. I know, an actual New Zealander working on the bar - crazy. Well, she was actually Dutch but she's been here 9 years or something so it counts!

Original Team!

The AJ Hackett crew made there first visit of the season in October to do a Horizontal Bungy which looked awesome! You are straped to a bungy cord and have to run the length of the bar to a drink at the other end and bounce back with it for your partner to down. For every item of clothing you take off they knock 5 seconds off!

Run!

On those very few days in Spring when it wasn't raining I went out to explore the area and there is quite a lot to see. On one of these days I went up to the Tunnels.

River

old thing

Over 100 years ago they made a hole through a mountain to direct water for some reason involving mining, I can't remember now. All I know its very dark in the tunnels and the ankle deep water you wade through is bloody freezing. There are glowworms in there though which is cool.

Entrance

Looking back at the entrance

On an extremely rare sunny day in October I decided to tackle Franz Josef's most epic mountain walk, Alex Knob. It took me 7 hours door to door and it nearly killed me but, after trekking up to 1303 metres, the view from up there is spectacular and it immediately became my favourite spot in Franz Josef .

Heading to the top of the first large hill on the right!

the river

The first part of the walk was along the road by the river to the glacier car park and the start of the track. Then I headed into the rainforest. I thought there would be a path and there is of sorts but its just a mud path with rocks and tree roots in the way so its more of a climb/trek then a walk. I came across a couple of recently fallen trees which I had to climb around as well.

Through the rainforest

Fallen tree

Every now and then the trees would open up and you would be able to see the valley.

out to sea

the entire town of Franz Josef

cant beat a panoramic

The glacier

View from Christmas lookout

I finally made it to the top and the view is simply breathtaking. The whole of the Southern Alps and the Franz Josef Glacier to your right, the valley heading out to sea on your left and the rainforest stretching out all the way to Fox Glacier behind you. I sat there for ages not wanting to leave. Partly because I couldn't physically move but mostly because I couldn't stop looking. But then the clouds rolled in so there wasn't much to look at anymore and I trudged all the way back down.

Made it!

Franz Josef Glacier in all its glory

Looks so good!

Dam clouds!

Halloween was upon us and as the Monsoon Bar loves a themem night we went all out with the decorations. Sarah was back too. An actual kiwi , she is something of a Franz Josef legend and this would be here 4th summer on the bar.

Decorating

more decorations

Green water for people to drink!

spiders everywhere

I somehow managed to bag the night off so i tried to dress up as a mummy but i kept unraveling! My favourite outfit by far was Gavin's who arrived as Jesus! It makes sense! He does come back from the dead! Its creepy!

Zombie apocalypse

back from the dead

its all a bit sinister

 To be continued