Greymouth and Franz Josef

Hello there,

We are in Glacier Country Franz Josef.. This is what we have been up-to the last couple of days..

Friday March 2

We left Nelson at 8am and met up with our new coach driver called SOAP.. Fair to say that he is a bit of a character and a good laugh.. the bus was packed (we had already been forewarned that it was quite busy on the South Island)..

We had quite a long driving day today.. First we stopped for some breakfast in a place called Punakaki.. After that we headed off for a couple of photo stops, stopped by a seal colony and had a late lunch at Pancake Rocks.. We finally rocked into Greymouth about 4.30pm..

We were staying at a place called Noah's Ark (we stayed here 3 years ago as well) which as the name suggests had an animal theme in each room.. We were staying in the Leopard Room (see pics below..)

First we did a supermarket run for some bits.. then we had a quick turnaround as we were getting picked up to go on a Monteiths Brewery Tour... we had done this before as well.. Basically you pay 25 bucks and you get a DVD about the history of the brewery (this had changed from last time where we actually went to the factory but apparently after feedback all people wanted to do was try the beer!!!)..

DVD over we had a tasting session and then had 30-40 mins behind the bar to pour as much as we want.. happy days!!!!

Afterwards and with everyone a little merry we went to the Railway Pub for a meal which was nice, drunk some more and then went to bed!!!

Saturday March 3

Another earlyish start and we got picked up just after 8am... Shorter drive this morning thank god.. We stopped at a Jade Factory on route (we were more interested in the Coffee available!!!) and went to a place called Bushman Pete's where we learnt a bit about the deer farming industry and saw some animals..

We got into Franz Josef and into our hostel about lunchtime and this afternoon we have done bugger all as we are all knackered..

Only here one night and then we leave tomorrow morning at 7.30am for Wanaka..

Apparently it is someones birthday tomorrow!!!

Lots of Love

Lee and Lucy xxxx

Couple of pics from Franz Josef.. As you can see we are having shocking weather!!!

some of the animals at Bushman Petes

Where we stopped for coffee this morning
Lucy at the pub last night with a birthday surprise (early one!!!)
Our coach captain SOAP!!!
Posing whilst we are all having a sing song on the bus after the beer tour
A change in careers could be in the offing!!!

The seal colony at Cape Foulwind

Lucy at a photostop


Some of the scenery on route to Greymouth.. pretty impressive

Silly arse got a little bit burnt in Abel Tasman National Park.... Check out the panda eyes!!!