The Franz Josef Expedition

 

 

Franz Josef (Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere in Māori) is a 12 km long glacier located in Westland National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

 

It is unique in the fact that it descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest.

The area surrounding the two glaciers is designated a World Heritage Site.

 

The guide trying to find a suitable path in the ever changing crevasses

 

 

While rest of the team waits…

 

 

On the move

 

Another extremely narrow crevasse we had to cross

 

Ice Tunnel

 

 

For more photos click here

Konya and Cappadoccia

Heart of Anatolia – and the capital of Salajeek

Konya is a city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. It takes an overnight train from Istanbul to reach Konya.

Trains are good and comfortable… and almost on time. You can buy the tickets from the main station in european Istanbul even if you dont know any turkish. The trains departs from the asian side of istanbul though, called Hyderpasha Station.

 

Konya was the capital of Seljuks between 1071 and 1308.

Alaeddin Mosque

Saljuk Architecture is distinct from Ottomon Style of buildings.

The building served as the “Mosque of the Throne” for the Seljuq Sultans of Rum and contains the dynastic mausoleum. It was constructed in stages between the mid-12th and mid-13th centuries. Both the citadel and the mosque bear the name of sultan 'Ala al-Din Kayqubad I.

It also contains the graves of many Saljuk Salateen (emperors).

 

 

 

Food in Konya – More kebabs.

 

some home made bread

 

and lots of peach flavour Ice Tea - Special treat for Maaz

 

 

 

Cappadoccia

A city with fairy chimneys

 

A popular tourist destination in Central Turkey – around 3 hours bus ride away from Konya.

 

A popular place for hot air balloons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For More Photos click here