West coast

After a beach day in Wanaka we started driving up the west coast of the south island. Our first destination was the famous Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers. The second destination was a camp site outside the town of Hokitika where we met up with our friends Selina and Henrik.

The drive from Wanaka to the glaciers provided another stretch of spectacular scenery as well as some close wildlife encounters. The vegetation along the west coast consists of thick rain forests. While driving the windy roads in the dark a penguins suddenly stepped out onto the road. Luckily he was crossing with caution so the encounter did not get too close.

The two glaciers are both impressive sites. They make their way from the top of the southern alps all the way down into the rain forest on sea level. Like most glaciers in the world today, these glaciers are currently shrinking. When observing the current vegetation below the glaciers it is possible to see the historical size of the glaciers.

It was great to meet up with Selina and Henrik in Hokitika. They are also traveling around New Zealand in a motor home and since the weather was on it's best behavior we could enjoy a nice BBQ outside.