Reunited with Matt: A Snow-packed Ending (Part 2)
- Kim
- Jun 11, 2018
- 3 min read
We had a very difficult time leaving Wanaka, but eventually it was time to get back on the road and continue our journey. We worked our way north and west through the Hass Pass. This Pass was filled with many amazing stops including a variety of waterfalls, glacier pools, and bush walks. One of my favorite spots was called "Blue Pools".
These pools were very rightly named and were a very bright blue crystal clear water. We could see trout trying to swim upstream, and the water looked like glass it was so clear and calm which made for some awesome reflection pictures!
During this drive we also witnessed some epic waterfalls and the drive through the mountains was enough to take our breath away! Eventually, we made it to the West coast and stopped in the town of Hass. Here we caught the sunset over the ocean and were able to witness the sun slipping beneath the horizon!
From Hass we worked our way up the West coast until we reached Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph Glacier. These Glaciers are nestled in the Southern Alps between New Zealand's two highest summit's Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
We were able to hike the glacier valleys of both glaciers and they were remarkably different and incredible. We were surrounded by glacial moraine, wide and powerful riverbeds, and countless waterfalls. Because the glaciers have receded a lot we were unable to walk directly on either of them without doing a guided helicopter tour.
However, we could still take in their blue coloring and get a feel for their immense power when we traveled through the landscape they carved out.
Another incredible gift from the Fox Glacier is Lake Matheson. This lake was created from a very large boulder of ice that fell from the glacier as it retreated. The lake is a perfect mirror on a calm day (and as you will see with my reflection pictures we were blessed with a calm and sunny day :)
Ever since traveling to Glacier National Park, Banff National Park, and Alaska I have had a thing for glaciers and was so excited to see some again! This may also be because of my brother Todd's science lessons when we have visited them, which helps me understand what I am looking at!
Eventually, our time in glacier country came to an end... We started back on our journey north and eventually made the turn East and ended up in Arthur's Pass. The weather became much colder as we climbed up into the mountains.
We tramped up to the Temple basin snow fields and truly entered a winter wonderland. They had so much snow and we were completely surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and snow-packed valleys!
Again we were blessed with a sunny and warm day which made for an inevitable snow-ball fight on the way down. The next day we tramped along a partially frozen riverbed. The water ran over the iced rocks which made for a very unique landscape.
From Arthur's Pass we continued East towards Christchurch. Before we knew it the snow was gone, snow-capped mountains were in our rear-view mirror, and we were back to green rolling hills. We spent a day exploring castle hill which was city of limestone boulders. Very unique and not like anything we had seen yet on this trip. Once we came into Christchurch our string of sunny days ran out and we found some rain.
However, it was a great excuse to check out the wonderful Canterbury museum. With heavy hearts we had to say farewell to Matt in Christchurch. We had such a wonderful journey with him and made memories to last a lifetime! We are so grateful he made the trip to the land down under to experience a portion of New Zealand with us.
As for Dan and I, we are now heading West again but taking Lewis Pass this time. Currently, we are in Hanmer Springs which is a town nestled in the mountains and famous for its natural hot springs! We look forward to a relaxing spa day to celebrate our 1st anniversary and then will see where our travels bring us next!
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