This morning up and out of Hokitika enroute to Franz Josef Glacier and Haast (bad joke time, if they have letters and parcels there, do they get them Post Haaste, sorry). First stop is Mrs Foggy to validate her beach rock as being a “real pebble”. After that it’s the Glacier slide, sorry walk experience.
Onwars and Downwars from here.
However Hokitika has a quirky side. A long beach is littered with driftwood and a mix of soft sand and washed up pebbles creating a dramatic beach where large waves crash wildly (even in calm weather) and a strong riptide which pushes the currents in many different directions. This alone is rugged and beautiful. Humans have made their mark here too.
The scatterings of driftwood and pebbles have been turned into works of beach art. An incredible array of sights greet visitors to the beach and create a unique backdrop to the majestic ocean. A driftwood cow grazes on sand, serpents with arched backs and pebble tails lurch from the sand, rings of plaited branches stand tall facing the oncoming tide, dragons and other unworldly creatures project from sand and pebbles. The whole view is surreal and is added to by visitors and locals alike.
The other unique thing Hokitika offers is the chance to go fossicking. This appears to be a New Zealand thing. So I went fossicking. This is where you comb the beach in search of gems and in the case of Hokitika the precious stone Pounamu (greenstone). Pounamu is now quite rare so lots of people and local artists scour the beaches for washed up pieces.
Fingers crossed I have found a piece. I can get it verified and officially certified while here. Maybe on return to the UK to have a go at making jewellery?
Lovelly place Hokitika. Very quirky and funky.
Fingers crossed
[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]
This lump is actually 18,000NZD worth of the precious metal. It took the sales assistant several minutes to pry it out of Mrs Fogg’s fingers.
Meanwhile I tried to get another buzz cut done on my over grown baldy locks. With two strikes in two empty hairdressers it was not looking promising. Both proclaimed they were completely full and the earliest they could fit me in would be next Tuesday. In typical comedy sketch fashion I looked around both hairdressers and not a soul could be seen. I asked if they were really that busy “oh yes”, well can I use your trimmers to do my own head, “oh no, you need training”, REALLY! “yes sir it takes years to master the art. Given that New Zealand are crying out for hairdressers I can understand why now if these poor soles are rushed off their feet for a week. I can feel a job change coming, me a hairdresser and Mrs Fogg a plumber, then we can emigrate, now where did I put that pink floral shirt, open toed sandals and sarong sweety.
More Beach Walking from here.
If you order one you get just that – a pie on your plate. We just had to try one for lunch today and since we stopped at a shed at the side of the road called the Gumboot cafe that offered either all day breakfasts or pies, pies and more pies. Pies it was.
Hmm, using the now immortal quote by Mr Fink “That was ok but I don’t want it again thanks”
I’ll revert back to my preferred lunch of sugary things washed down with more sugary things and cream.
Might have to consider a health kick on my return to blighty, buy bigger clothes or just stay here. Tough choices.
Mr Fogg has just gone all native too, no more trainers and socks it’s flip flops and bare feet all the way now. He’s even starting to sound like a Kiwi!
[Posted from Mrs Foggs super cool iphone]
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.