Day 25

Best road sign ever!
see all photos »

Tuesday 13th feb

I woke up this morning feeling marginally better and when I eventually managed to drag myself out the van at 0930 I headed straight over to pay for the night we had just had - honestly I didnt need to the girls in the office had no idea, we could have just saved the $28 and gone straight away!

millions of litres of water cascading everywhere

We cracked morning routine and headed for the internet cafe in Motekua-  by far the best value of any cafe so far, also the one that has let me load all the pics on from the 21st'ish and before at $2 for 30mins. The one I'm in now is $1 for 10!

Cloud forests
see all photos »

We drove down the west coast towards Westport where we guessed we would stop for the night and had some amazing scenery - again. I bet you're getting bored of it now!

We followed the Buller river for a good segment and drove round and through the massive mountains and valley's it has carved out over many thousands or more  years. We saw cloud forests and forests that looked like they were leaking clouds straight up, got some pics to post, but none that do it justice.

After a few hours we stopped at Berliners Cafe for a drink. It said on the signs leading up to it that it was historic and it also seemed to be the only one around for miles!!

see all photos »

As we got in I read some of the info on the walls. It turns out that it's at least 100 years old (though the building has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times) and was originally owned and run by Mr Berliner; a Swede originally who had travelled to NZ in one of the gold rushes. He opened Berliners Hotel and Post Office and it was the only one in the area for many years. It was roughly 30yrs old in 1906 although no one is sure. The rest of the history I can't rememeber, so if you're interested.... go there yourself!

see all photos »

As we drove the heavens opened and we had our first big downpour... I can hear you laughing from here! But what you don't know is that because of the rain, thousands and thousands of waterfalls started to appear running off the mountains. It was like nothing I've seen before. Some you could see, others you could hear. It must have been millions of litres of water cascading everywhere. It turned most of the view into a giant Rainbow. I have a pic of one that appeared as we pulled up for a break. It just started gushing onto the road, the sun slightly obscures it, but I was trying to show the rainbow that formed.

Turn head to left.. waterfall
see all photos »

As quickly as the downpour started - it stopped and we were on the coast road again following the SH6 down through Westport to a Town called Punakaiki, famous for its pancaked rocks and blowholes.

It was also on the way to this town we saw the best road sign ever!

I mean honestly, its wicked- this is the actual one I googled it but hey there you go.

We pulled in to Punakaiki and stopped at the aptly named Punakaiki Motor Lodge. I wont tell you about the views anymore, but look at the pics when I post them!!

THe camp site- cool view or what
see all photos »

It was here that we remebered a comment some American couples meeting each other for the first time at the Mapua Leisure park (nudy camp) had made, and it was because we heard another American make a similar comment. Now I don't wanna diss an entire Continent; but get this for a comment about NZ.

One couple " you know New Zealand is like all the best parts of America rolled into one"

The other couple "you know what, I was just saying that!"

I know what I think about that comment, but i'll leave it up to you to make up your own minds!!