I rolled out of town hoping I could still
make it to Franz Josef before dark …
and I almost did! In fact, if the weath-
er hadn’t improved and forced me to
stop for photos of the golden skies and
the harsh coastline, I would have.
Damp from the early rain and rid-
ing through near zero temperatures
in the low clouds and mist I arrived
in Franz Josef to the greatest develop-
ment; the hostel had a hot tub. To say
I hurried over the second I dropped
my bags in the room would be an un-
derstatement; I don’t think Wonder
Woman could have kept me out of that
heavenly hot water. Finally warmed to
the core, I was lucky enough to re-join
Tom and Caitlyn for some drinks and
dancing at the pub, and made plans to
join them when I’m driving through
Australia.
While my original intent in Franz Jo-
sef was to get out and do some hiking,
exploring the awesome mountains,
with significant amounts of snow in
the forecast for the drive south I kept
my stay to a single night and made a
quick stop by the glacier park before
through incredibly clear water beside
forests of black coral (which is actual-
ly white) and monstrous lobsters, and
then enjoying the unbridled joy of dol-
phins and their babies playing in the
wake of the boat as we headed back to
the launch. If the day ended here it
would have already been considered
incredible … but it didn’t. Back on
dry land and bundled up in my ther-
mals I hopped on Robin and we tore
off down the highway to Queenstown.
Overnight the surrounding mountains
and sides of the road showed the first
signs of winter with a speckling of
snow, but the asphalt had dried during
the day and my Heidenau K-60 Scouts
maintained great grip letting me lean
right over and keep up speed through
the plentiful corners. Making it into
Queenstown just after sunset and roll-
ing up to the luxury of my first private
room since Auckland, I warmed up in
the bath with a beer and headed out to
meet a German friend from earlier in
continuing on down to Milford Sound the trip to conclude my birthday with
for something special: my 30th birth- a night of live music and dance induc-
day.
ing beverages … Happy Birthday! CE
While I’m of the belief all birthdays
should be special days; this day really
takes the cake with epic riding, twist-
ing through the mountains, boating
and scuba diving in a fabulous fjord,
and a night out in Queenstown. I had
New Zealand's South Island, the second leg
no problem starting off the day before of Colby Ellis' round the world adventure is a
the sun to throw back some smoked land of wonderment, a land that can't help but
salmon eggs benny, and of course make you happy.
about a gallon of coffee, before rush-
Colby seems to have found that happiness
ing off through a frosty morning to and shares the joy with others for nothing
meet the dive team. Gearing up with more than a smile and a simple suggestion;
toques (beanies for most of you out "Better Starts Here". Colby's full Happiness
there) on our heads and gloves keep- Diaries adventures can be found at -
ing our fingers with feeling, we got www.milesforminds.net or on Instagram at -
ready to roll and cast off down Mil- @Vancolby_
ford Sound. The crew must have had
a good laugh watching us tourists with
our jaws stuck to the deck marvelling
at the colossal cliffs and towering wa-
terfalls on either side of the boat.
The day continued with the unbe-
lievable scenery broken up by many
a hot tea and coffee, a chilly bath un-
der a glacial waterfall, diving down
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