37th-39th Day - From West to East through Middle-earth

The joy of the free campsite we selected didn't last long - sandflies everywhere! After this short and rather annoying night, we drive along the coast without much of a plan. The towns are getting smaller, the sea rougher, and the mountains higher...what can you really do there - right! Take a spontaneous helicopter flight over the glaciers!

With this idea and the knowledge that there are still two available spots at this very moment, fatigue disappears in the blink of an eye. Excitement mixes with a slightly tense and nervous feeling. But everything happens so quickly that there's not much time to think. The weather is perfect, the views are endless, and Josh, our pilot, looks quite sober too.

We take off with our mouths open and without words, enjoying the sight of the white giants. Magical! This is where the scene of the beacons of Minas Tirith was filmed for the movie 'Lord of the Rings' - for all fans ;) We continue over the Southern Alps to Franz Josef Glacier (yes, named after our Franzl because of his long, white beard), past Mount Cook (the highest mountain in New Zealand), and back over countless other glaciers. Here too, you can see that the eternal ice is going through tough times. We won't forget this flight anytime soon! :)

Back on solid ground, we drive to Okarito before making our way back up to Greymouth, all the way to Lake Brunner, after cooling off in the sea.

On Friday, we are scheduled to cross Arthur's Pass to reach the East Coast. However, this area is so incredibly beautiful that we decide to spend a night by the lake in the mountains.

During a walk through the limestone landscape, the next spontaneous action takes place - suddenly, we are faced with a cave through which a stream flows and that can be crossed. So, let's go in!

Equipped with headlamps, we jump into the waist-deep water after a short moment of consideration and discussion about the next steps. With uncertainty about what awaits us, we take the first steps into the darkness.

However, it's easier and smoother than we thought. And so, after 45 minutes during daylight and after a few encounters with fluffy eight-legged creatures, we emerge safely into the light and are thrilled with our first caving tour.

Saturday is dominated by the reemerging pollen allergy, which has a firm grip on both of us and doesn't seem to let go. One would think that there can't be any pollen here anymore, as everything is currently dried out and burned by the sun. We are almost eagerly waiting for rain - just like the countless sheep and cattle along the roads. Let's see what the next few days will bring.

We wish you a lovely extended second Advent weekend!