From Hokitika to Franz Josef

After fuelling up the car next door to the hotel we set off for Franz Josef. Less than 100 metres and we stop for another hitch hiker. This guy was called Tyler and he was from Chicago, USA. He was a guide on Fox Glacier and had just taken some time off to tour NZ for ten days with his parents who had been visiting from the States. He was returning to Fox to continue his work. He is a qualified biologist but loves his tour guide job on Fox Glacier. We arrived at the town of Franz Josef about lunchtime after a couple of hours driving. As we were too early to check in at our motel we offered to take Tyler over the mountain to Fox, about 25 kms. He was really appreciative For our "trouble" he offered us complimentary tickets for any of the glacier walks his firm operates. Anne declined as they sounded too strenuous for her to complete. Dropping him off at his house, he returned to the car with my pass. I immediately went to book my heli hike in the centre of Fox. It was for the following day but not guaranteed as paying customers take preference. That done we made the return journey to Franz Josef. The Church in town had a scheduled Mass for the next day (Sunday 3rd March) but there was a vigil Mass some 30km back north in Whataroa at 7'oclock that evening. We decided to have some tea and head off to Mass. The pictures that follow are of the church at Franz Josef and at Whataroa. Some pictures taken on the drive back into Franz Josef around 8-30 in the evening. It was just as well we went to the vigil as the Sunday Mass at Franz Josef was cancelled due to a swarm of wasps making their home there. By the way, today (Saturday) was our first day of rain. Mostly drizzle though. Sunday 3rd March A busy day today and adventurous one at that. This morning we took a helicopter flight onto the Franz Josef glacier. The views were amazing. We flew over Franz Josef, Fox & Tasman glaciers as well as Mts. Cook & Tasman. They all form part of the Southern Alps. Mount Cook is the highest point in New Zealand. The helicopter landed on top of Franz Josef glacier and we were able to get out to stretch our legs and have a photo shoot. The trip lasted about 45 minutes and were able to sit alongside the pilot (Chris) on the return journey. After lunch at a cafe in Franz Josef I set off back over the mountain to Fox for my complimentary heli-flight courtesy of our friend Tyler. Anne meanwhile stayed back at Franz Josef to catch up on her facebook and read her kindle. The flight was delayed 30 minutes due to the lowering cloud but it eventually took off for the 7 minute journey to the heli-pad at the base of Fox Glacier where i and the others got out. We were met by our guide Deano, for the walk on the glacier. Once the safety talk and fixing of crampons to our boots was completed we were able to set off and explore the glacier. The walk lasted two and a half hours. Unfortunately all the photos. for this adventure are on my camera and as yet I cannot access them on the tablet. Please feel free to post any comments in the box. It will give me some idea