South Island, New Zealand, Day 7

17 October 2012 (Monday)

Wake up to a beautiful Franz Josef. Blue sky and crisp air.

Realised missed the Rugby World Cup Semifinals between the Australia and New Zealand. Watching the game in a pub here in New Zealand would be a wonderful experience, especially since the AB won the game and would go to the finals.

Leaving Franz Josef, drove North .

Short stop at Pukekura and the only thing there, the Bushmen visitors's center. Short break there. Tempted to taste Possum pie but decided against it.

Passed Ross, one of the few small 'kampung' along the way

Wont mind living in such places at all... that is until boredoms sets in.

Then we reached Hokitika.

Took our time strolling around. Hokitika or Hoki is the so called art center in the region. Pounamu, the Maori name for NZ Jade or Greenstone carvings and retailng is a big industry here. She made puchases (again) albeit the more cheaper rocks.

Also managed to sample the local seasonal delicacy, the Whitebait. Small fishes cooked in eggs fritters - ie omellete style, served with salad and fries. Tasted nice, something chewy and salty goes well with those bland eggs.

As we are leaving, the sky opened up and it starts to rains cats and dogs. Would have to drive even slower in these winding coastal hugging roads, and I am already a slow driver.

After Hokitika, we continue North to another attraction that was said not to be missed here on the West Coast of South Island, the Punaikaki Pancake Rocks and Blowhole.

Reached there and the rain has died down. But again we reached there rather late, with the Park Office and cafe's closing. But the park is still open for another hour and we had it all to ourselves, something I always prefer since I can takes pictures with no human beings in it.

Wonderful rock formations.The pancakes rocks. Did not saw any blowholes though even with the wind blowing strong.

Just add maple syrup and we are good to go.

Continued North to Westport via the Coastal Scenic Route, with a short stop at Grey mouth for groceries. True to the reputation of this place, the weather is really unpredictable and it rained, stopped, rained again and stopped again ....

Still, we did many stops since somebody likes the pebbels on the beach so much that she packs almost 2-3 kilos of pebbels home. Always wondered are theses pebbels originally from the beaches here or they were put here to prevent erosion. I would have though beaches on ocean facing beaches to have smaller grains of sands and rocks with the big waves pounding daily.

Somewhere along the West Coast. Thats the Tasman Seas in front.

Finally reached Westport, and the rain continues.

Spend the night at Bazil's. The twin bed's room upfront is amazing.