Morning! Snow has gone, a little light rain only and the mountain tops are still covered in cloud. no problems the roads are open and we are packed and making a run for it. Yes the room was free - no change of mind at check out time... Whooppee..
The pass was magnificent and the viaducts were spectacular, the snow was still on the side of the road and in the trees etc. it was like a Christmas Card.
At the bottom of the pass, the scenery opened up to low lying farming land and some cute little villages. One small town had a 3 exit round-about with the main train line going through the middle of the roundabout - what next we wondered.
Hokitika is the next town down the highway after we found the western highway and the beach. Stopped here for morning coffee and Bob had some breakfast, the cafe was right next to a Jade Shop - Joyce and I wandered through for a look but nothing jumped out and bit us so we left empty handed.
Wandered around a nice clean and tidy town with the bottom of the high street at the ocean, really grey water on a blank sandy beach.
Filled up again with petrol NZ$2.12 per litre - ouch...
Had an odd moment when Bert pulled over as he saw a few feathers poking out from the bonnet. When he lift'd the bonnet there was a little green bird - when released he just upped and flew away. We have no idea where or how he got in there.
Into Franz Josef and our 2 bedroom apartment, nice and clean but nothing special. It is very convenient to town so we went up for lunch, huge meals. I bought a lottery ticket in Kaikoura and that needed checking - I WON! NZ$26.00. Reinvested $16 and pocketed $10 whole dollars.....
Home made dinner tonight after such a huge lunch. Helicopter ride over the glacier tomorrow.....fingers crossed the weather is clear and good viz.
Today's memories:
Joyce : getting through Arthur's Pass and the snow while the weather is good. Little worried about the roads.
Bob : the trip down out of the mountains.
Bert : the drive down the pass was challenging and releasing the bird from the bonnet.
