The weather wasn’t looking good for us today. Checking the forecast, it showed that it would rain in the afternoon so we headed off to our first hike to Franz Josef Glacier in the wee morning.
We first hiked through lush rainforest but that soon opened up to a moon-like crater of rocks.
As we got closer to the glacier, the moon-like atmosphere soon gave way to cute little moss beds hugging the rocks. Our weather forecast had also changed and the skies started drizzling.
Actually, the rain started being overly generous as the walk went on but it never got too bad. After our 4km hike we popped into a cute little European bakery where I enjoyed a chocolate tart. Once we had recharged with teas and tarts, I made the drive to Fox Glacier. The roads were again very windy and enjoyable. I felt like I was driving in a car ad. I’ve been loving driving this hire car, really easy to control. Surprisingly, it’s a Holden. I’m very much a Japanese car girl.
Someone had adoringly put effort towards a cute little rock pile.
We then stopped by Lake Matheson where we had lunch at Matheson Cafe. We then embarked on our second hike of the day. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the gorgeous reflective views of the Southern Alps as the fog had won our battle.
We did wait long enough for the breeze to showcase a little glimpse of a snow-capped mountain. That’s the best we got though. Would’ve been such an amazing view though, I could imagine.
No one wanted to join me for the most intensive hike so I dropped everyone off to the shops and cafes while I made a solo third hike for the day. This one was headed to the terminal face of Fox Glacier.
Again, I trudged through grey moon floors of rocks, bordered by streams of glacial water. Then I was met by beds of moss-covered rocks. Is it because it’s more moist and wet towards the glacier that the moss only thrives as I near it? After a very steep and sweaty 400m hike uphill, I made it. I was sweating like crazy but the wintry air made me feel both hot and cold at the same time, which made my head hurt. Or I was probably dehydrated haha.
I really wanted a moment of solitude up at the glacier face, so I waited for groups of people to flock on by. Eventually, I caught a lucky moment and had peace and quiet for about 20 minutes.
I then made the hike back down (I hiked all the way from and back to the starting grey path in the above photo) and realised that my head was really getting cold. I probably hiked too much in the cold air for one day. I was feeling susceptible to catching a cold so it is a hot cup of tea and an early night for me! I did feel good about having done more than 12km of walking today.
But of course, I wouldn’t leave you without today’s showcase. Please, ladies and gentlemen – devour my moss exhibition.
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