March 23 – Going to Fox Glacier

March 23, 2016 – On the road to Fox Glacier
We left the hotel at 7:45am just as sunrise was coming over the mountains.
About 1/2 hour later we stopped at the bridge where bungee jumping started. We were able to walk out on the bridge but actual jumping doesn’t start until 9am so none of us jumped.
We stopped at the Aurum Winery at 9:15am. Joan, one of the owners, came out to give us a tour. She and her husband bought the land to start a winery in 2001. Their son and daughter-in-law are winemakers so they are now slowly turning the operation over to them. This area was one of the most important areas during the 1860’s gold rush. Now it is mostly wineries, fruit tree farms, and sheep. The area gets 8 to 10 inches of rain a year so they need to use irrigation. They also have olive trees and they produce olive oil. They produce Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines. The samples of wine were very good.
While driving we passed an airfield which is having an air show this weekend. Several of the old planes flew past the bus. A group of parachustists floated by on their way to the ground.
After lunch it was raining as we rode in the bus. Alan decided to give us a quiz about New Zealand. There were 16 questions. The winner got 6 correct (YEA, Dave). I got 2 correct.

We had a break at a whitebait pattie place. Whitebait is a small fish like smelt that is a NZ favorite made into a patty with egg and seasonings.
We stopped when we got to the west coast to take a 20 minute walk through the rain forest. Shortly after starting out it became a light rain. Right after we got back on the bus it started pouring.
We stopped at Bruce Bay for a quick stretch break. It is a coastal beach which is too dangerous for swimming, surfing, and boating. Yet there was a sign saying that it is one of New Zealands top 10 beaches.
We got to the hotel at 5pm.
It is looking doubtful that we will get to take the helicopter ride over the glaciers tomorrow. The forecast is for more rain.

First picture below is looking down from bungee jump bridge.