Fox Glacier Walk

I took the Nimble Fox: All Day Glacier Walk with Fox Guide. I signed up for a day before my walk online at NZD 165. The price also includes the use of jacket, gloves, stocking, crampons and hiking boots. Unfortunately lunch was not included and you have to bring your own lunch box. Nevertheless the experience was well worth the price. 

The company offers a variety of package including

• Half Day Guided Glacier Walks - a suitable family activity

• All Day Guided walks for the more adventurous

• Thrilling helicopter flights to and from a more remote part of the glacier on Guided Heli-hikes

• Gentle, informative Valley Guided Walks to the dynamic glacier face

• Day Heli-Treks & Overnight Alpine Trekking high above Fox Glacier with superb views of NZ's highest peaks

• Ice climbing Adventures - expert instruction, small groups, Heli-ice climbing options

First we started hiking to the starting point, then when we reached we put on out crampons. 

First sight

What you will see

Waterfall

The valley

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

My hiking mates

My Guide Johnny took very good care of me.

My favourite blogger also wrote about glacier hiking but in Franz Josep. Click here.

The ones that doesn't make the cut

I had a tough time selecting the pictures for capture the colours contest because there are other pictures i like such as the following;

Yellow

This is taken @ Mt Sunday

On the way from Wanaka to Queenstown

Blue 

Initially this was my first choice for quite some time. Taken in the heart of Christchurch, a temporary ATM that came to live after the quake.

Red

Was my first choice as well, I kinda like how the flowers look like pixie/fairy with wings. Taken in the Domain in Auckland

Green

Taken in Havelock North (between Hasting and Napier,North Island)

Taken in Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury

Taken in Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury

Capture the Colour Contest 2013

The Capture the Colour photoblogging competition is back for 2013 (ends 9 Oct). For more info click here

As I've been on working holiday in New Zealand for the past year therefore all my photos were taken in this lovely country. It is a very scenic country with mountains, rivers, lakes, beaches, volcanoes and beautiful landscape which I will try to showcase in the pictures.

White

Mt Sunday / Canterbury / South Island

New Zealand is known as Aotearoa in Maori which is simply translated to "The land of the long white cloud". 

Yellow

Queestown Hill Walkway / Queenstown / Otago / South Island

In the background you can see the famous mountains called "The Remarkable". For me this picture captures all the other colors but the yellow in the foreground is rather dominant as it covers half of the picture.

Green

Rakaia Gorge / Canterbury / South island

This was taken along the 2 hours walkway to the Upper Gorge lookout. The view throughout the journey was simply stunning. 

Red

Red Crater Summit / Tongariro National Park / North Island

Red Crater is one of several active craters on top of Mount Tongariro in The Tongariro National Park. Tongariro crossing is without a doubt the most famous one day hiking trail in New Zealand.

Blue

Lake Pukaki / Canterbury / South Island

Lake Pukaki is the 7th largest lake in NZ. In the background is Aoraki/Mt Cook the highest peak in NZ at 3754m.

And for this year I have nominated the same friends for the contest. They are

Farah Nadiah http://www.thatsofarah.com/

Michaela http://michigrill.blogspot.com/

Matt http://mattroundtheworld.blogspot.com/

and

LG Ng https://www.facebook.com/ng.lg.5?fref=ts

Daniel Norris http://thestupidforeigner.com/

Angeline Ong http://lynn-angelstories.blogspot.com/

Two Weeks South Island Itinerary

During my working holiday in New Zealand I took 2 weeks off work to go on a short trip around South Island for 2 weeks.


The following was summary of my expenses:

Accomo	Transport	Gas	Food & Drink	Activities	Misc
195	138.38	22.53	201.61	230	63.4

Route: Christchurch - Arthur's Pass (2) - Greymouth - Punaikaki - West Point (Cape Foulwind) - Greymouth (1) - Fox Glacier (1) - Franz Josep (1) - Wanaka (1) - Queenstown (3) - Arrowtown - Dunedin (1) - Oamaru - Timaru - Christchurch (1) - Akaroa - Queenstown (1) - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (2) - Cromwell - Ashburton

Accomodation: Stayed mostly in BBH (backpacker hostels). Price ranging from NZD 23-26 ( price after NZD3 deduction when using BBH card). Couch surfed with my Wellington CS host who moved to Queenstown.

Hitch-hike: Most of the time; altogether 16 rides. Longest ride: Cromwell to Ashburton; picked up by 3 French guys who were doing car relocation.

Car relocation: Twice. 
* Queenstown - Christchurch, relocating a Toyota Yaris with Budget car rental 
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Dunedin (1) - Otago Penisula - Oamaru - Timaru - Christchurch (1)
**Christchurch - Queenstown, relocation Dahaitsu Sirion which was manual with Jucy. Engine went dead 8 times.

Both cars were picked up from airports. We only paid for insurance. I traveled with my host Erika on both relocation.

Lakes Visited/Passed by: Lake Matheson, Lake Wanaka, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Tekapo, Lake Te Anau

Hiking Trail: Arthur's Pass - Avalanche Peak Track (Up), Scotts Track (down), Queenstown Hill Walkway

Interesting places visited: Punchbowl Waterfall, Punaikaki Rock, Fox Glacier, Moeraki Boulder, Milford Sound, Baldwin Street (World Steepest Street in Dunedin).

Activities: Fox Glacier Hike, Milford Sound Cruise (Jucy).

P/S: Contact me if you need more information, suggestions or have questions.