Hanmer Springs to Hokitika

Views on the way.



Shot seals!
A weka - lots of them about.
Restaurant where we had lunch at Tauranga Bay.
The view while we ate.




Views of Pancake Rocks and other formations.


Weather beautiful for an early start and a very scenic drive from Hanmer Springs to the Westport area where we avoided the town and went straight to Cape Foulwind where we were hoping to get a bird's eye view of Fur Seals. The walk as far as the lighthouse was steep but Cape Foulwind did not live up to its name as there was barely enough breeze to cool us after our exertions. The views were lovely but no seals despite a heated argument over what turned out to be rocks - isn't Jim blessed with his eyesight! We then went to the other side to Tauranga Bay where we took the walk to the seal colony and shot our seals! We then found an award winning restaurant in this scenic area quite suitable for lunch.

Next stop was Punakaiki where the coastal rocks are remarkable pieces of natural sculpture. They look like enormous stacks of pancakes. The views here were great also.

We had no difficulty getting past Greymouth despite the 10,000 who were there for the Memorial Service. On the journey there was lots of evidence of what was going on - St. John's Ambulance types and police. Everywhere was understandably very subdued. In Hokitika where we spent the night all the other rooms seemed to be occupied by the police who had spent the previous 2 weeks in Greymouth. They were letting their hair down after their ordeal and were enjoying a barbecue just opposite our room. We had a glass of wine as we watched them.