Day 30 - Kimi Ora Spa Resort, Kaiteriteri - Abel Tasman

Saturday 26th February 

Rained most of the night and was still raining when we got up around 09.00. Went for our continental buffet breakfast around 09.30

We were both feeling rather weary but eventually found sufficient energy to walk along the track (in the hotel grounds) to Reece where we could see glow worms and would return after dark. A beautiful little 'Fan Tail' bird followed us along the track chirping away as if it was trying to tell us something. He came really close to us.

 

Set off around 1pm to Marahau and the beginning of the Abel Tasman National Park. All the walks in Abel Tasman seemed to be in trees so we decided to give it a miss and walked along Sandy Bay instead. From there we drove back to Split Apple Rock at Tokongawa Point.

The Maori name for Split Apple rock is 'Toko Ngawha' meaning burst open rock.

Legend has it that the rock was split, like an apple, by the sword of Zeus while battling with Neptune over the hand of Dione. Zeus actually won that battle and the hand of Dione. How the rock found its way to NZ remains a mystery.

A steep climb down onto the beach but well worth it and only 15 minutes each way.



Don't know what the black colour was in the sand but it looked terrific.

Sandra checked out the Kayaks on the beach wishing she could have a go herself. This bay is perfect for Kayaks. Especially on such a lovely afternoon. Far better than walking in the trees.

  

The roads to Split Apple Rock were edged with dodgy looking limestone which looked as if it would fall at any moment. Sandra was 'not appy'.

  

Looking down onto Split Apple Bay

Around 8pm as we were sitting watching television we were visited by (we are sure) the very same little Fan Tail bird that we had seen earlier that day. He came right up to the cabin window and spread his tail as if he was saying goodnight. Amazing.

At 9pm just as it became dark, like two demented dames and clutching the wind up torch, we crept along the track from our cabin into the jungle like growth to see the glow-worms. Are we mad or what? Someone had thoughtfully placed a wooden bench at the best vantage point for us to sit and stare in awe at this glow in dark spectacle. It was eerily quiet with no birds singing just our heavy breathing to be heard. We were not scared you understand just puffed from the walk. Sorry folks no photos of the glow-worms.

Day 29 - Rapahoe to Kaiteriteri

Friday 25th February    route map


Left The Beach View Motel just before 9am in pouring rain which was a shame as the coast road from Rapahoe to Westport is quite stunning in places but we were deprived of the views by the rain and mist.

 Although JB could not resist a couple of shots even in the rain.
 

Stopped at Westport for coffee and again at Murchison for a picnic lunch by the river as the sun was now shining and it was warm.

JB was not inspired at all to take photographs. Found the journey quite boring by comparison to what we had seen elsewhere. Most of it could have been Scotland, especially the rain though it was very lush, green and in places quite tropical looking.

View from the hotel dining room

Arrived at Kimi Ora Spa Resort, Kaiteriteri which is very close to the Abel Tasmin National Park.
Our cabin No: 24 was up a very steep hill and first impressions was that it was dark and dismal, being all wood, but had a bath and everything we needed. View from cabin window was good but you needed to stand up to see it.

Lovely view from the hotel dining room looking down on the harbour and across the Tasmin Bay towards the North of Marlborough Sounds in the far distance. We decided to eat in the hotel as it was a vegetarian buffet with all you can eat. Sounded good to JB but SL not as happy even though we had a good table with a great view.

We checked out the Spa pool and an Scottish couple who were swimming in the pool described the water as being like Scarborough! (and Scots are hardy folk) Needless to say we did not venture in. Shame!

Day 28 - Springfield - Arthur's Pass - West Coast

Thursday 24th February     route map

Left Springfield at 08.45 in beautiful sunshine.   
Sandra drove so JB could take photographs through the windscreen showing the stunning scenery along the road. 

Took the Great West Coast Road  via Porters Pass and stopped to see the fog lift from Foggy Peak and Cloudy Hill.

  

Castle Hill and the Limestone Tors is the location used to film 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'.

 Arthur's Pass in the morning light heading West was just perfect for some great pictures.

Arthur's Pass is one of only a few roads from Christchurch on the East to coast to Greymouth on the West coast. Sometimes called The Great Alpine Highway.

Stopped for a coffee at Arthur's Pass village.

We passed over the Otira Viaduct which is 35 meters high and 440 meters in length. Construction began in January 1998 and almost 2 years later was completed, in November 1999 costing around 25 million dollars. The viaduct replaces a narrow, winding and dangerous road that was prone to avalanches, slips and closures.

Took the Lake Burner road (tourist route) and stopped for a picnic at Moana by Lake Brunner.

On past Ruru to Stillwater and then the 7 highway into Greymouth.

Following two major floods in 1988, the Greymouth Flood wall was built. Completed in 1990, it stands as a symbol of defiance against the threat of flooding from the mighty Grey River. The wall not only provides security for the town, but also

a pleasant walk for Sandra and JB.

With such spectacular views on such a beautiful day it took us four hours to get to Greymouth.

 Found these amazing paintings on the side of an old building which seemed to be a heritage project illustrating early Greymouth.

From Greymouth we continued to the Beach View Motel at Rapahoe where we checked in for one night and then drove to Pancake Roacks at Punakaiki arriving just in time towards the end of high tide so we could see the blow holes at their best. 

Pancake rocks are layers of limestone which have weathered to resemble immense stacks of giant pancakes.

These stacks are undermined by huge sea caverns where the surf surges in, sending spumes of brine spouting up through vast blow holes.  

It was fantastic to see and hear the force of the sea coming in through the rocks.

Had a short beach walk and then a meal at The Punakaiki Tavern where we watched the latest news on Christchurch.





Even in the evening light the West coast looks pretty good. 

      

This was a fantastic day enhanced by the sunshine. The scenery driving through Arthur's Pass was awesome and the whole day has to qualify as yet another HH.

 

 

Day 27 - Omaru to Springfield

Wednesday 23rd      route map

Quake reports now 65 dead and still 300 missing. Being described as New Zealands darkest day.

Left Omaru around 9am after telephoning 'Go Rentals' with regard to exchanging the car.

It was raining hard and rained on and off all day.
Not a particularly scenic route along Highway 1.

Stopped for a drink at 'The Tea Shop' café at Makikihi which was very good and reasonably priced. Tea was in a tea pot! Seems to be more tea pots the further North we get, maybe 'Teapotland' hasn't got this far North yet.

We listened to the car radio all day for up dates on the quake. They seemed to be 'getting on with it' in true New Zealand style.

Witnessed very long queues at petrol stations. People were panic buying and escaping from Christchurch creating a very busy road.

Arrived at 'Go Rentals' at 1.25pm and changed cars.The second one was equally as badly knocked about as the first one. Covered in scratches and dents. But we do not care as we appear to be locals and the car shows no obvious signs of being rented. Plus we were refunded $65 and got a full tank of petrol for being inconvenienced.

Drove out via the Old West Coast Road to Springfield and checked into The Springfield Motel and Lodge at 15.30.

 Took no photographs at all today so thought you may like to see some of the interesting car number plate photographs JB has been collecting all over New Zealand.

Went for meal at the Springfield hotel where there were lots of folk staying because they wanted to get away from Christchurch. Sandra had a steak and JB had veggie parcels in filo pastry.