Along the coast, we stopped at the pancake rocks, these cool layered rock formations. We got there right after high tide, but still got to the the blow hole "blow"! Em and I bought each other green stone necklaces for our birthdays. I absolutely LOVE mine! It's a koru, which is the shape of a young, curled up fern frond (or fiddle head) symbolizing new beginnings, growth, life.
Then to Hokitika gorge where we crossed another swing bridge for views of THE most beautiful turquoise-colored river I've ever seen! The color was amazing!
We continued down the coast to another river and, following some vague directions, found ourselves some hot springs! I thoughtfully brought a shovel along for this very occasion and we found some spots were the steam was rising, dug a hole and lounged around in the hot springs!
After heating up, we decided to test the waters of the river...the river coming from mountains...mountains with glaciers...I was a wimp, but Mike actually fully laid out and immersed himself in the water! Crazy!
Next was Okarito lagoon, which was disappointing, but we hung out at the beach waiting for that ocean sunset.
Then back to the car to head to Franz Josef for our glacier walk the next day. First it was a couple of km hike to the glacier, then we had to climb this huge gravel hill that came out of the glacier a couple years back, before stepping onto the glacier. Glacier ice feels very crystalized and is blue. We had to squeeze through crevaces sideways and then pull yourself up these carved steps with a hand rope. The views were fantastic and for some reason it felt oddly comforting, hmmm, kinda like home, hmmm...
