Chasing the New Year with Rain

It rained all night at Franz Josef Glacier.  We checked out the weather forecast and it was going to be heavy rain all day.  We decided to just hang out and try to wait it out. The normal checkout time was 10am, so we asked the manager if we could stay till 11 or 12, and he gave us the OK.  He said as long as we left before his cleaning staff at 2pm, because he did not want to clean the room himself!  We took advantage of the the hotel having a laundry room, and after I bothered the other guest for coins, I managed to find someone who had change for a NZ $20 bill. We started the laundry and walked to find breakfast in pouring rain.  As we turned the corner we saw the big group of motorcyclists that we had met at the lunch two days earlier. They looked completely soaked, and I hoped their gear was more waterproof than it looked. We all waved in recognition, and Frank and I took shelter in a cafe for breakfast.   We went back, finished laundry, and packed up.  It was still only noon, and the rain was not letting up.

The elusive Kiwi Bird

We then went to the West Coast Wildlife Center to kill more time.  They take injured animals, rehabilitate them and release them back out into he wild. We learned a lot about the different native Kiwi birds and their predators.  I learned about the Stoat, which I had never heard of that before, but is very similar to a weasel. The stoat is the biggest threat/predator to the Kiwi bird. The center also had a big room that simulated night time, so we had a chance to see Kiwi birds up close in a pretend habitat. We were not allowed to take pictures, so unfortunately I have no way to prove that we saw the Kiwi Birds.

The Tuatara

We also met the Tuatara, not a lizard, but it sure looks like it.  They are great at being completely still. For a long time.  A really long time.  I know, we waited for a really long time. Did I mention it was raining outside?

We made a stop at the Salmon Farm and cafe, to take a stretch and snack break.  I was cold and damp, and not entirely happy, but the rain seemed to be done. The kitchen had just closed, so we had to settle for a snack and drink. Frank tried the summer fruit blend homemade tea, and he said it was the best tea he had ever had. We took a look at the Salmon tanks from the elevated walkway, before continuing on to Haast.

Happy New Year in Haast

We didn’t take many pictures today due to the rain, but it was still a memorable day. We celebrated the start of 2018 before most of the world, with 100 strangers, and stayed up really late. We then walked back to our hotel while looking up at the stars and the Southern Cross, and locals shooting off fireworks, as our nighttime display in the Southern Hemisphere. Life is good.