Well after leaving Queenstown on my journey up to Nelson, my first stop along the west coast route was Fox Glacier. It was cloudy and/or rainy the entire 3 days I was there. I didn't actually see Fox Glacier, but I did drive about 20 minutes to see Franz Josef Glacier (in the rain). So I actually didn't get any pictures of the glacier, cuz again, my camera's not waterproof. But it was a cool sight. My next stop, which was my favorite, was Punakaiki, home of the pancake rocks. The trip was made better because the sun was shining while I was there. I stayed at the Punakaiki Beach Hostel, which is right on the beach! Below are some pictures from the pancake rock viewing area. The pancake rocks are unique (because they look like stacks of pancakes) and even scientists can't fully explain the phenomenon.
And the sunset in Punakaiki was just beautiful, as you can see below. This was the view from the balcony of the beach hostel.
From Punakaiki, I went onto Golden Bay. I stayed in Takaka one night, and the next 2 nights I stayed in Onekaka at a eco-friendly hostel overlooking the bay, with solar power and composting toilets. I wasn't so keen on the composting toilets, and was happy to move on to a place with flushing toilets. :) While in Golden Bay, I took a walk along parts of a long, narrow stretch of sand called Farewell Spit that curves around at the tip of the South Island. Later, I went to a nearby beach called Wharariki Beach, which was quite nice. Below is a picture from the beach.
From Punakaiki, I went onto Golden Bay. I stayed in Takaka one night, and the next 2 nights I stayed in Onekaka at a eco-friendly hostel overlooking the bay, with solar power and composting toilets. I wasn't so keen on the composting toilets, and was happy to move on to a place with flushing toilets. :) While in Golden Bay, I took a walk along parts of a long, narrow stretch of sand called Farewell Spit that curves around at the tip of the South Island. Later, I went to a nearby beach called Wharariki Beach, which was quite nice. Below is a picture from the beach.
From Golden Bay I drove on to Nelson, taking 2 German backpackers with me, whom I met at the hostel with the composting toilets. Yesterday there was a cool outdoor market in Nelson's city center, with booths selling fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs, freshly made breads, clothes, jewelry, etc. That was really nice because there were no such markets in Queenstown. And you all know how much I love farmers markets! Yesterday was really hot and sunny in Nelson, so after the market, I went on a short walk with one of the girls at the hostel (also an American) to the "center of New Zealand," which supposedly marks the very center of the country. After that I visited the Miyazu Japanese Garden in Nelson, where you could find a little bit of yin and a little bit of yang.
Tomorrow I go on to Kaiteriteri Beach, just about 40 minutes from Nelson, where I'll be working for the next 6 or 7 weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment