We watched shooting stars till midnight and watched the surf for hours.
Next stop Hokiti.
Wonderful location here.
Something magical this way comes.
Star Gazing from here.
Stupidly we both had it in our heads that Sandflies were big things and maybe similar to Mosquitos.
Imagine our surprise when we were told what we were calling midges are in fact Sandflies. Nasty little biters they are too, and they swarm around you settle and feast. Alcohol in the blood fails to stop them as does garlic and thickly applied insect repellant.
In this picture I’ve two on my leg already, we swiftly retreated in after this since we were under full attack.
Apparently further south gets worse. Bring it on, we will lather up with sunscreen, insect repellant and squish them when they land.
[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]
The only thing to top it, is having my best friend and wife by my side. Here’s a big cheer to Mrs Fogg for putting up with a grumpy old git and planning yet another awesome trip.
Enjoying life with my best friend from here.
Of course Mr Fogg had to go and do the supaman. Take one bald guy, stick on a bowling ball helmet, strap into a big sock thing and then make him run and jump off the zipwire to fly through the air like superman. Cue Mr Fogg bellowing “ah me knackers” as he flew along the wire past everyone on the suspension bridge next to him. Gotta love us Brits, we like to express ourselves.
On then down the West Coast highway 6 in search of lunch and on towards Punakaiki or Pancake Rocks. The journey is simply stunning, sharp bends, steep switchbacks and massive rock overhangs and incredible views of deep lush forests, ancient and huge ferns, palm trees, flax and all manner of birds.
We never did find somewhere for lunch (never let Mr Fogg get hungry, remember the Honey Monster?) but did go out to the seal colony at Cape Foulwind, a prominent headland just south of Westport. I had read that there were often in excess of 200 seals basking on the rocks there – today there were perhaps six.
On for the final leg then, still no lunch and we arrived at Punakaiki and our accommodation at 4.30pm. Checked in and I took the Honey Monster on a 2km tramp to the local Tavern for beer and nourishment.
Mr Fogg has just beaten me to the blogging with the incredible views of the coastline from where we are staying and the beautiful sunset.
Fingers crossed that we can see stars and the upside down moon tonight.
If you are wondering what the picture is, this is Mr Fogg at the local tavern astride a large plastic horse. I made him sit on it for a photo but did not expect it to be backwards! Typical.
Kia Ora!
[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]
A rather confident Mrs Fogg stood on the swing bridge (this was after the 3rd crossing and my shaking it as well). We took the Bullers Gorge Jet Boat, which tops 60mph, does 360s to make you hurl, skims across 4cm of water and skips through the rapids driven by a nutter, oh what a scream. 40 mins of soaking, screaming and holding on for dear life, followed by a tandem zip wire across the gorge and then one final Mr Fogg doing a Superman flight across the gorge on a zip wire, Awesome.
On then to Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks, via Cape Foulwind (nice name) for the seal colony. Tonight we overlook the sea from Hydrangea Cottages, secluded lodges next to Pancake Rock. And yet again the girl serving asked where we had come from, when we said Murchison, she simply asked “Why the Hell did you stop there”. There’s one Mrs Fogg will never live down.
Pancake Rocks from here.