On Sunday we had a long drive from Nelson to Christchurch via Kaikoura. On the way we stopped to take pictures of seals basking on the rocks. The weather was rainy and cold, and we were supposed to be going swimming with seals but the trip was cancelled. So instead we went to a winery and tasted lots of different wines. I was slightly woozy afterwards, but in a happy way. My favourite wine was the rose. We arrived in Christchurch at around 4:30 so went for a wander round town. It is so like an English town, it was wierd. Especially as it was raining!
Monday was a long driving day with new people on the bus, so it was very full. We drove past some 'lord of the rings' scenery - the rocks where the characters hid from some black birds that flew over. In the evening we arrived at Fox Glacier (very small place, nothing to do except go on the glacier...) and there was karaoke in the bar so of course I had to go up and sing... sang Shania Twain, 'Man, I feel like a woman'. Then lots of others went up in groups.
The guys also had to do the Haka with no tops on which was amusing. Towards the end, the host wanted me to sing 'Believe' and 'my Heart will go on' except my voice was so dead by then that it was really terrible but he seemed to like it.
Tuesday was spectacular. Seven of us went up in a helicopter to Fox Glacier. The helicopter landed on the glacier itself on a 'landing pad' (a square of stones). The flight was cool, with great views. Then we got out, and had to crouch down and shield our eyes while the helicopter took off and abandoned us there. We then put crampons on and were given hiking sticks. The weather was fantastic, we were really lucky. We hiked up the glacier, seeing crevasses and ponds and caves in the ice. We could go in one of the caves, but the others were apparently too unstable and were expected to collapse any day. The ice in the caves had a beautiful blue colour. All too soon we had hiked back to the helipad and were 'airlifted' out. The ride back was fun too. I've never been in a helicopter before. We got to wear those earmuff things and they really do block all the noise.
The afternoon was spent driving a very scenic route to Queenstown through the Haast Pass.
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