South Island Holiday
21-12-2004 to 09-01-2005
Franz Joseph
30th December
Our tour party preparing to walk to Franz Joseph Glacier.
On the way to the Glacier.
Getting closer.
If you look closely at the centre of this photo you will see a group of touists climbing up the glacier.
Just as we arrived at the face of the glacier great chunks of ice fell into stream.
Looking down the valley from the glacier.
We were visited by a Kea.
When the ice had stopped falling I went to the face for closer photos.
Refreshments before heading back to the minibus.
A final look at the glacier as we walk away.
Our party heading back to the minibus.
To Greymouth
31st December
On our way to Greymouth we stopped for lunch in Hokitika.
Lunch by the Hokitika river.
Crossing the Arahura river.
Another Road/Rail bridge.
A walk by the Grey river after we had checked into the hostel.
Greymouth
1st January 2005
Today we have driven to visit Shantytown Heritage Park.
A recreated 19th-century mining town offering historic reenactments.
Peter in the cab of the steam engine.
Chris and Peter posing.
Moonshine still.
In the afternoon we drove to Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks.
When we returned to the hostel the manager had put on a barbque for the guests to celebrate New Year.
To Christchurch
2nd January
After returning the hire car we waited at the Greymouth Railway Station for our Tranz Scenic train to Christchurch.
Luggage being taking for loading onto the train.
Along the line to Arthur's Pass.
Travelling through the Otira tunnel. Peter took a photo of our reflection in the coach window.
The tunnel runs under the Southern Alps from Arthur's Pass to Otira, a length of over 8.5 kilometres.
When it was opened on 4 August 1923, it was the seventh longest tunnel in the world and the longest in the British Empire.
Coming into the station at Arthur's Pass.
At the station we had a break to stretch our legs.
Looking back to the Otira tunnel portal from the train.
Riding through the Southern Alps.
The foothills of the Alps.
And finally over the Cantabury Plains to Christchurch.
Christchurch
3rd January
This morning we are visiting the International Antartic Centre in Christchurch.
We are in the Indoor Storm Room.
The thermometer shows -10degC.
We were provided with jackets before we entered the room.
This is a Hagglunds, an amazing all-terrain amphibious Antarctic vehicle that's been built to conquer the rough terrain on the ice.
We were taken for a ride in one over a course that has been set up at the centre.
The 'Chalice' sculpture Cathedral Square.
The Cathedral that will be destroyed in the February 2011 earthquake.
Christchurch
4th January
Our excursion today is to the Airforce Museum of New Zealand.
Kittyhawk NZ3024 with an Allison V1710 engine.
Kaman Seasprite SH-2F.
Westland Wasp HAS.1.
Chris and Peter dressed as airmen in the cockpit of a plane.
Akaroa
5th January
We took the bus to the town of Akaroa .
Looking down at Akaroa harbour from the hills.
An old house in Akaroa.
Looking down on the town.
Christchurch
6th January
Auntie Ngaire and Uncle Arthur took us to their gun club for some target practice.
Auntie Ngaire by her target.
Peter taking a shot.
Chris by his target.
Colleen taking a shot.