Monday 21 February 2011

Punakaiki

Dear all

Today we made quite an easy day of it as we are getting to our last few days in the South Island. Punakaiki or Pancake rocks was our first stop and although it was high tide the wind wasn't sufficiently high enought to show us the beautiful blow hole in full action. None the less the rocks themselves are stunning made from Dolomite Point limestone whihc gives them their characteristic look. We were also rewarded by seeing loads of Hector dolphins feeding just off the rocks and the weather was really nice too as  you can see.

Heading off the Coast road at Westport we travelled down the dramatic Buller Gorge with its primeval ferns and cabbage trees is an ideal place to indulge in water sports and we saw loads of kayakers and rafters on the river. This gorge was devastated by earthquakes in 1929  and 1968, but the road still snakes through overhangs just barely big enough to take a bus . This evening we managed to find a brand new campsite which was on its first season and everything was sparkly and new and also pretty empty which means we might be able to catch up with some sleep!
Nite all
Sara


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