New Zealand photos > Pancake Rocks and Rainforest Glaciers
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A perfect shot of the pancake rocks, all smushed-together layers
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A regular daredevil
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One of teh many one-lane bridges we crossed over on our long drive. But this one had the added stress of train tracks! Choo choo!
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Finally we arrive in Franz Josef! The snow-capped mountains overlook the main strip of 'town,' which consists of a small supermarket, 4 bars/pubs, one internet cafe and 15 touring offices.
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The Rainforest Retreat was our one-night home
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It featured a great log cabin-y bar o nthe property where, apparently, everyone drinks Jagermeister.
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And Whitney learned that her super-competitve husband is a much better billiard player than she.
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So we moved out to the patio to relax.
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It seemed like everyone was relaxing on the patio. Woof.
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On the patio we met Kirk, a [semi] local who's a professional chef, and a hobbyist fiction writer. We him where we should eat later that night, and he suggested his restaurant, of course! It was delicious food!
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An array of colors appeared for a sunset dance over the rooftops at the Rainforest Retreat. Ahhhh.
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Before we did our heli-hike, we took a little walk along the the parkland below the glacier. This pair of signs seemed a little intimidating.
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Just off the helicopter - we made it to the heart of the glacier. Note our cutesy outfits provided: matching parkas, wool socks, boots and ice spikes.
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Our guide, Tim, a Brit who was a major butthead in the begining of the tour (probably because he'd done 3 tours already that day and was cranky), but softened up towards the end (probably because we were his last tour of the day).
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a huge pool of melted snow in the middle of the glacier. Right after this photo was taken, Tim jumped in and offered a swim to anyone in the group. John was a taker! See the video here.
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Roger and Ivonne, a lovely couple who we chummed up with o nteh tour. They're from Germany, exploring New Zealand in a huge campervan for over a month!
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a little tiny hole that we all tried to slide through....
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Whit's curvy figure slid right through (there was an inkling of a fear that she would not). Those are her feet
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John coming through head first
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Tim offered a little help, as sliding through the hole seems easy, until you come to the end and there's a puddle of slushy icy water.
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The Beattys Overseas, in an ice cave atop a glacier in the middle of a rainfroest
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War wounds from glacial climbing, bro!
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Amazing view from the helicopter of the glacier's runoff (a silvery, chilly creek)
