Certain things irritate and disturb you most when
you are trying to catch that extra 5 minutes of sleep when you are expected to
get up relatively early. The alarm sounds like a enemy siren and you feel like
using all your strength to destroy it. But in my case it just cant happen as
the alarm is set on my lovely phone which I take care of very dearly. But yes,
cursing is risk and tax free and I make
full use of it. Cursing not the alarm but self for not having made the effort
to try and sleep early the previous night. But one really cant brood over spilt
milk!! And you finally succumb to the fact that you have no other go but to get
up and get off the bed!!and when you are on a vacation and have a bus to catch
at 0740 hours there is enough and more
reason to get to your senses.
As we had packed everything previous day itself it
was just a matter of freshening up and having breakfast . bus journey was proposed to be 7 hours long with one lunch
stop and a couple of comfort stops for respecting the bladder. We travelled
along the shores of lake Wanaka and hawaea to the Haast Pass which is the
gateway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. And continuing past the
spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes of the glacier region of
Fox and Frank Josef glacier. 
We were dropped at the scenic hotel franz Josef glacier at around 1530 hours . after check in at the wonderfully located and beautifully decorated hotel, we went to the heli tour provider outlet as the last tour would go at 1700 hours. Heli tour means we are taken on a helicopter showing us the beautiful mountain range, the breath taking ice capped glacier and finally lands on one of the glaciers , where we can get off the helicopter move around on the ice capped mountain, capture some fabulous moments on camera, play with ice and after all the fun we are brought back to ground zero. The cost involved is a bomb of course but then having gone that far not going for a heli tour and land on top of the glacier would be termed as frank foolish. Deal was simple 200 dollars for 2 for showing one glacier and landing . 300 dollars for 2 for showing 3 glaciers and landing one one. We took the first option due to economical reasons. But God had different ideas. As it was the last trip of the day they planned to combine 2 different groups into one heli tour. The other group had 3 people in their late 60s from UK on their post retirement tour. And they had the bucks too so had opted for the latter package. The heli tour guy told us you are lucky you will see all 3 glaciers at the cost of one thanks to the other group.. and he also told us shut your mouths about this its between us, let the oldies not know how much u paid ;) we could not ask for more!!.
We were then taken to the helipad and after all the security
features were explained to us and putting on the heavy protective headphones, the
helicopter took off. This was the first time I was sitting on a helicopter and
it does feel scary unlike the aeroplane which feels much more safer and secure.
But then that is one great experience everyone must have!! We witnessed a sight beyond imagination, Nature
could not be more beautiful and to be flying on top of it like a carefree bird with no boundaries, no
limits …just priceless…totally out of the world!! The chopper then landed on
top of the glacier and we were given 10 minutes to feel what heaven felt and
looked like. If there is paradise on earth it is here, it is here , it is
here!! Whoever said that about Kashmir had definitely not been here I am sure. The
colour theme crystal white due to ice , sun shining in the sky influencing the
temperature from becoming low, making it absolutely perfect to sit and absorb
as much of the feeling that you could of being in a place beyond comparison. We
did play in the ice, photos were captured and then finally unwillingly got back
to the helicopter and after having a aerial tour of the other 2 glaciers
finally landed back . the heli tour ended
but the EXPERIENCE stayed!! And
will stay on forever..
We then freshened up and wanted a good massage to
liven us up . we got appointment at the Rainbow Forest resort and spa which was
pretty nearby from our place. Emma gave both of us a good refreshing massage
and also 2 $ per hour internet meant we could catch up on some developments
back home via internet. It was dinner
time and we found ourselves in the Priya restaurant, the only Indian restaurant
in that small town village. This little village has a population of less than
500 people and every thing has to come from a town not less than 200 miles
away. We were talking to the Indian owner of the restaurant and he said even
water comes from elsewhere and there is nothing which they can use from the
locale. And that’s why the cost is generally higher compared to other cities. After
a good heavy dinner we traced our way back to the room and let the sleep gods
take control over us……
We then freshened up and wanted a good massage to
liven us up . we got appointment at the Rainbow Forest resort and spa which was
pretty nearby from our place. Emma gave both of us a good refreshing massage
and also 2 $ per hour internet meant we could catch up on some developments
back home via internet. It was dinner
time and we found ourselves in the Priya restaurant, the only Indian restaurant
in that small town village. This little village has a population of less than
500 people and every thing has to come from a town not less than 200 miles
away. We were talking to the Indian owner of the restaurant and he said even
water comes from elsewhere and there is nothing which they can use from the
locale. And that’s why the cost is generally higher compared to other cities. After
a good heavy dinner we traced our way back to the room and let the sleep gods
take control over us……
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