Another first!!

Today was movement from Punakaiki to Franz Josef, to spend time as true tourists near the glacier!
I woke up super early to have a chat with the family and was nice to do so! Rachel our team leader then worked out what would happen for the day. We had to distinguish between lagoon kayaking or glacier activities. It was all highly dependent on weather with expectations of an incoming storm. The company in Franz notified us they wont be running tomorrow because of the weather, so we had to bomb it down. We packed up super quick and hit he road. A quick stop off to have a look at the pancake rocks and blowholes in Punakaiki, and they were truly fantastic formations, but not fully understood how they formed. We then zoomed down to Franz Josef hoping to make the 12:30 trips. Still 30 minutes away, and it was the time of departure for our trips - we had missed it :(. Rachel rang the company to notify then we wouldn't get there on time, but they said to keep coming and they would hold out as long as possible. We got to the company area, parked on the road and dashed in grabbing thermals, water bottles, cameras and food!! We were there! 5 of the group were IceExploring with a short transfer and then 3 hour hike. 3 decided not too do anything due to costs, disinterested and capability on the ice. Chrisi and I however signed up for the Heli-hike experience!! It was fantastic. I had never been on a helicopter before and was petrified but it was so fun! It is such a surreal experience and as we flew up the valley the pilot flew up to formations - waterfalls, dove down towards the ice falls, sweeper down through the valley walls. It was such an experience! Soon it was time to land on the ice! I had done this before, at Fox Glacier so knew what to expect. We wore full foot crampons in the cold weather and explored the caves and crevasses in the ice. It was great fun, but very tiring. We finished up meeting other members of the group, looking like Cheshire cats! We were both so happy to have had the chance to participate - although expensive, a great time!
We got back to the hostel and had a quick rest and dinner. Soon after, we drove a few minutes up the road to a new commercially formed Hot Pools for relaxation. They were set to 36, 38, and 40 degrees centigrade and It was the perfect wind down for the evening.
Coming back to the hostel, there was time for a quick Skype to LAH and the nephew. Gorgeous - both of them. Although missed greatly, I am having a fantastic time. Tomorrow we will be kayaking! Can't wait!!