When we arrived at the West Coast we drove back up north towards Oparara. While driving there the clouds got darker and darker and when we arrived it was raining, so we decided to lunch first. It was still raining and windy after lunch so we had a small rest. But the rain did not want to move on!
As we were by that time restless we got our panchos and started our first hike to the Oparara Arch.
Half way into the trail the sun showed it's face again and no need for the rain gear anymore.
The second hike we walked to the Morio Gate Arch
Then we drove with our car to the next car park as we wanted to see the caves.
We were able to go inside two caves. Box Canyon cave and Crazy Paving Caves. In one of the caves were able to see the glow worms again. It was amazing. Not as many as inside the cave we had to pay for but still a few and we were the only ones inside. Sometimes it was kind of scary inside the caves especially when I couldn't see the entrance anymore. We did have our flashlights with us, but switched them off many times to get a real feel for the cave.
After our visit to the caves we drove back south of the West Coast and towards the time we wanted to find a camp ground for the evening it started raining again. So we decided to look for a campground with more facilities and we found one, even with an inside kitchen and eating area. So before we set up the tent we cooked inside where it was warm and dry. We also looked forward to a warm shower.
We got up early packed our wet tent and drove more south. We went to see the Pancake Rocks Blowholes. High tight that morning was at 7 am. So we arrived around that time there to the the water in action.
The waves were rolling in hard against the rock walls and the water was pressed through holes and pushed into the air. It was a delight to see it as well as noisy as hell. The stone most have been formed by this forces war thousand of years or even longer.
We had the location almost alone for us. One other family wondered around as well to enjoy the great rock formations.
After the visit we had breakfast at one of the many picnic tables. We saw the sun rays already but the warming sun was still behind the Southern Alps and we still had the morning chill.
By the time we reached Hokitika it was nice and warm. There we stopped at the Tourist Information. A nice lady gave us a lot of info and we booked a Kayaking trip for the next day and a glacier hike for the day after.
The town is famous for its green stone art and it is just a cute little place. We wondered through the shopping streets and looked inside some stores and enjoyed to look at their creative goods.
When we arrived at the beach we still saw some art from the drift wood competition they had just a few weeks back. Some of the art was just beautiful, especially with the pebbles beach in the background.
About a 40 minute car ride is the below location from Hokitika. The water is just stunning and it was totally worth the drive.
At the Dorothy Falls Robert felt like swimming so he went ahead. For my taste it was still too chilly to go inside water.
At the lake we enjoyed the view from a bench and Robert tried to get dry again.
It was still kind of early but we decided to go next to our camping ground. It was a DOC camping ground at Lake Iante/Matahi the lake was beautiful and it was nice warm and sunny. So we both got changed into our swimwear and went inside the lake, while all our camping gear dried in the sun.
Dinner at sunset was stunning and we loved the camping ground, except it was a little too close to the road and when a truck drove by it was kind of noisy. Luckily at the west coast there is not too much traffic.
For 9:30 am we had our appointment for the kayak rental and the closest DOC campground was a 1 1/2 hours drive away.
When we arrived there just in time we got a great introduction and by 10:15 with the incoming tide we were on our way to discover the Okarito Bay with all it's birds. We had 4 hours and as the tide would be outgoing in 4 hours it was said it is kind of easy to get back.
We felt like there were two heavens, as the water was like a mirror and reflected the the blue with white fluffy clouds.
At some areas the water was so flat that we had to get out and carry the kayak for a bit.
Of course we saw some birds. Sometimes close or far away and some were only to be heard.
We don't really have pictures of our way back, as it was extremely windy and there were waves. It was hard work to puddle against the waves, even an employee from the rental place came with a dingy to make sure everybody is ok.
It almost felt forever to get back and I don't know were I got the strength from to keep on puddling. But somehow it did and together with Robert we made it ti our starting point.
Back at the shop we got a coffee and we made lunch and we met a Japanese girl who just finished her trip after we did. We got to talk and enjoy the sun. She bikes around New Zealand and stays for one year.
We drove towards Franz Josef and camped there at the Otto DOC campground.
For more pictures click on the following link: West Coast
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