Bev and Larry New Zealand 2012: December 15, 2012 Ross to Franz Josef

After a later breakfast, we met at 9:30 am and were shuttled to Ross. This small town (population 315) had its beginning in 1862 with the discovery of gold. This is still a modern-day open-pit mine, but it is not in use because the town won’t agree to excavating under the town. Ross is also where the largest gold nugget was ever found in New Zealand. Here we started cycling toward Westland National Park and Franz Josef Glacier along highway 6. Although the park covers an expanse of towering mountains and glaciers and dramatic waterfalls to our left, most was not visible due to the low hanging clouds. Most of the rolling morning ride (22 km) was through a beautiful temperate rain forest where you heard the sounds of many birds. All along the ride, we saw a multitude of variety of ferns and very ancient podocarp trees covered with vines, mistletoes and perching plants. The ride took us to the town of Pukekura and the historic Puke pub and the Bushman’s Centre with its giant sand fly. The Pub serves award-winning “Wild Foods” that includes possum pate, possum pie, venison, rabbit, etc. We had a delicious picnic lunch in a covered shelter behind the pub.

After lunch the 23 km ride took us out of the rain forest into dairy farm land and sites of icy, gray-blue rivers tumbling down to the Tasman Sea. About 15 km into the ride, we encountered rain, which stayed with us for about 3 km until we veered right to cross the one lane bridge over the Wanganui River. Then there remained only 5 km to Hari Hari. Three members of the group continued on with the 31 km optional ride and steep 3 km climb through the St. Hercules Scenic Reserve and St. Hercules mountain. The four of us continued in the van to make some scenic stops at Parker’s Creek with its gorgeous turquoise blue glacial water and a bank lined with purple Fox Glove. Another stop was at the Whataroa River and the beautiful view into the mountains. We picked up the three who biked the option at Whataroa and drove to our hotel this evening -- the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.

At 6:30 pm we met in the reception/bar area for an overview of activities for the next two days. The four of us are doing the Heli Hike on the FJ Glacier with an 8:40 am departure from the hotel. We should return after noon. Then Bev, Roxanna, and Louis have massages scheduled throughout the afternoon. I am scheduled for a Kayak trip on Okarito Lagoon.

At 7:00 pm we proceeded to dinner in the main dining room with views of the mountains. Bev and Roxanna had salmon for their entre and Louis and I had the lamb shank. Dinner was excellent.