West Coast

We didn't get to see near enough of the West Coast country.  It rained and was misty the first day we drove into Westport and did our walk around Cape Foul Wind (don't you love the name?).  The next morning was still overcast, but we drove down, about thirty miles (which takes about 45 minutes, like driving in our mountains) to Pancake Rocks on the coast.  It's a magnificent coastline with lots of cliffs, forests, and beautiful beaches.  Next trip, it's Nelson down to Haast and across the pass to Lake Wanaka  and Queenstown.  That route takes you through the glacier region where Lord of the Rings was filmed.  The West Coast is wild and isolated - not many tourists, or residents either. 

On the left is Lake Rotoiti on the way over to Murchison.  It is about half-way across the south island to the west coast.  We walked about a mile and back around the lake on an excellent track with native beech trees and lots of bell birds singing.  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful walk.  I think the lake is about the size of Lake Glenville. 

"Japanese" room at Maruia Springs Thermal "Resort"     Cape Foul Wind on the coast south of Westport

Here is he seal colony on the walk at the Cape.  If you zoom in you may be able to see the baby seals.  There is one draped over a rock.  There were a dozen or so little ones playing and tumblng off the rocks and swimming in the water. 

This is the longest swing bridge in New Zealand.  It crosses the Buller River, which the road follows half-way across the south island.  This gorge was the site of a 7.8 earthquake in 1929 which created the cliffs along the river.  The river is deep here, and one can take jet boat rides or ride a zip line across the gorge.  We thought the swing bridge was scary enough.  The drive across the south island takes about 4 1/2 hours from coast to coast - Westport to Blenheim.

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone.  Tomorrow is the Graperide, a bicycle race with 2500 riders entereed.  The route starts in Blenheim, then up to Picton, along the Queen Charlotte Drive (challenging in a car) to Havelock, and back to Blenheim.  I think that's about 100 k.  There are bicyclists arriving on the ferry this afternoon.  Put it on your list, Neil.