Franz-Josef 🏔️🎆

I was picked up very easily from Hokitika to Franz-Josef so the journey wasn't that long and I had really nice company. When I arrived in Franz-Josef, I was initially surprised at how many different helicopter flight providers fit into such a small town. From the beginning to the end of the village you are definitely faster than you are in Fellbach (and that's saying something 😅). Until we checked in, we had overpriced but very good carrot cake. At the hostel I first notice that pretty much everyone in this hostel is from Germany, so I didn't hear much English during that time. But the hostel itself was really cool and really huge. Then I tried out my first hikes. Since it had rained the last few days, the water at Cattery Gorge was unfortunately not glacier blue but sandy-gray, but the hike itself was really cool. I then went further to a tunnel with glowworms, but since I was all alone and the tunnel was just black, I didn't venture in there and just enjoyed the view of the river. There was always free soup in the hostel in the evenings, which of course we took advantage of. Unfortunately, the next day was pretty rainy so we didn't go on a helicopter flight, but we still managed to take a short hike to a lake. I actually saw my first eel there - it definitely won't be my new favorite animal and I was really glad that I didn't go swimming as I had originally planned. In the evening it was New Year's Eve. We started with a few beers in the hostel and then went into town to a bar shortly before midnight. So there wasn't much choice anyway. This bar was converted into a disco for 1 night and it turns out it was a 90s music party. Unfortunately I didn't see any fireworks because I wouldn't have been able to leave the bar because then I would never have come back in because of all the people. At 2 we went home because the helicopter flight was in the morning the next day. And starting the new year like that was really just amazing. The weather was simply perfect and the experience was indescribable. Thanks to the Christ Child for that ❣️ Later we went on a hike to see the glacier from below again. On the last day, after a long time, I finally found a hike of 1000 meters in altitude. Unfortunately, the view from above was limited to me because everything else was covered in fog. But the view from further down was definitely worth it. We continued the next day in the morning. The plan was to hitchhike again, but I didn't have to do more than write my sign and I've already found a ride. After a few really cold but beautiful days, I'm looking forward to warmer days and more hikes in Wanka! ☀️