Ours was the last group to leave the glacier for the day. The helicopter actually came a bit early, perhaps because the weather was moving in. Along with the increasing rain, it also started to feel a lot colder (probably mostly due to just standing around while waiting for our turn on the helicopter).

We were again the first of our group to board the helicopter. Rain streaked the windows as we flew over the valley we had just walked that morning.

Boarding

The rain was literally chasing our tail.

The very walk (and waterfall) we had done earlier

It was quite warm by the time we got off the helicopter and sat in the sun waiting for the others. When we were all gathered again, we walked back to the dressing room to give back all our gear.

Whew! Quite warm!

We were quite hungry by this time but were getting a bit tired of cheese and peanut butter sandwiches. Fortunately we found a fish&chips trailer that also offered other things as well.

Chips (french fries), a kumara (sweet potato) patty sandwich and pavlova for dessert

Pavlova is a traditional New Zealand dessert (although the Australians also try to claim the invention of it). It is a sweet, cakey merrangue delicacy. The cream and kiwi fruit really make it though!

We grabbed a couple of happy hour beers at our usual spot, wandered around the town a bit, then walked down to check out the hot pools. Admission was included with our helicopter tour, but that didn't include renting a locker and towels. Besides, it closed at 9 pm and we still wanted to do the nearby glow worm trail.

Mmmm... beer

I can never resist a kiwi statue!

There were lots of these interesting rental vans... with all sorts of themes, including Mutant Ninja Turtles and Resevoir Dogs (riddled with bullets and blood). Another such company did the "Escape" vans (such as the one I have pictured with keas all over it as we came back through the Homer Tunnel), which were painted more ornately.

The sun began to set so we made our way toward the Terrace Walk. On the way, we stopped by the tiny Our Lady of the Alps Catholic Church (which only has mass once a month).

The evening sun hits the mountain tops.

The tiny church...

... complete with tiny organ

Most impressive were two stained glass windows in the front of the chuch which depicted this mountainous hiking environment akin in nature to the European Alps.

I am guessing the jug is supposed to contain brandy!

A few steps away was the start of the Terrace Walk. It was a simple easy trail that led through dense vegetation and ended at a.... sigh... dry waterfall. We waited until it got dark, but there were zero glows. Disappointed at yet ANOTHER attempt to find these most elusive little beasts in the wild (I was beginning to suspect it was a Disneyland type trick using only colored lights!), we started to head back. On the way in we had passed a large fallen tree whose roots had created a type of cavern. Regan thought it would be fun (as in scary) to rummage around it in the dark. Suddenly he called out.... a tiny spot! A green glow!

We both crawled in closer to the mass of roots that now formed a vertical wall.... and yes indeed... more and more tiny specks of glowing green began to appear. By the time we left, some two dozen were visible.

The trail in... the suspense builds...

... the dry waterfall... the despair sets in...

... and finally, the moment I know you have all been waiting for... the green dot of a glow worm (greatly magnified, of course)!

return • continue