River View Lodge Westport

Westport Day 45<br><br>Today I nearly missed the Kiwi Bus, apparently it was full but I managed to get a space on it. I chatted to most of the people on the bus briefly (about 35 of us) and we headed off to Westport. On the way we arrived at Lake Rotoiti, which was mind blowing, possibly my favourite bit of scenary in NZ. The lake is beautiful, surrounded by gorgeous snow-capped mountains. It took my breath away, after gazing in awe, Lisa, Kelli ...

... a brick work effect, jumping over the barrier with warning signs a couple of times to explore the much more exciting (and dangerous) areas! The sea is very rough in this area, which causes some waves at high tide to send water shooting up through small vents in the rocks, creating a spray of watery mist at the climax. We checked into a hostel having watched the sunset, and Katie taught me how to play cribbage.

... body and my head, a lightbulb on my head, 2 cocktail umbrellas (thanks stacey), rubber armbands, and sunglasses. It was very tight. I wrapped my body on a breathe in instead of a breathe out so breathing was hard. I also didn't account for opening my mouth when I cling filmed my head so opening my mouth was bit of a struggle at times. Every group that visits Les has a group photo taken and it's put either on the wall or in his albums. I had a goosey through ...

... my face. AHHH!!! Besides sand flies, New Zealand has been wonderful so far. We arrived in Auckland where we spent a week checking out the city and nearby attractions and we are also proud to announce we are happy owners of a 1994 Green Toyota Camry. We call him Miles. We wanted to name him after the "longest name of a place in the world" - Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateatur ipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakit anatahu but ...

... si ils ne sont pas trop en retard sur les horaires) pour nous permettre de visiter l'endroit... c'est ce qui s'est passe ce jour la. Le conducteur a arrete le bus a Punakaiki et nous a laisse 30 min pour qu'on aille se ballader le long de la cote et pour qu'on puisse ainsi admirer les fameux Pancakes Rocks... Je vous laisse voir les photos, vous comprendrez alors pourquoi on les appelle comme ca.

... the post to where was the highest on record flood...about 16m from the river bed...but it was such a wide v-shaped valley (check me out with my geographical knowledge!) that sooooo much water would've had to flood through to make the whole river that deep!!! then....on the way back we went fast!!! did about 10 spins where you get soaked and sped procariously close to the sides of the river!! very fun...but i have to say that it wasnt really enough adrenaline filled for ...

... for Shelly. a Good 3/4 hr return. We kept getting views of the Glaicer from the track and again rivers, rapids and waterfalls all around us. Well worth the effort to climb up as the Glaicer was a majestic sight when we got to the top. We sat and ate our Sarnies, again made by Simmo and then made our way back down. Like the coming down bit better but it was still hard work. Back to camp dinner and a few ...

It took another 3 and a half hours to get to Westport but we saw a reindeer which helped (???). One of the best parts about the driving was that my ipod has like 7000 songs on it. Whoever was passenger was also map reader and dj. You'd never know what was coming next song wise. So there we were singing to The Carpenters "Top of the World" and bobbing our heads... that was just an invitation for something to go wrong... some mad fecker over took us on a corner on a cliff edge and we had to ...

... walks around springs and along a vertiginous water race (that powers a restored hydro station) it was a regretful farewell to Takaka and on to the West Coast. This is the fabled wettest part of NZ but we've actually had two dry and sunny days. We visited more seals at Cape Foulwind (Captain Cook had a way with names) - it's pup season so there is much falling off rocks and squeaking going on. Maybe they will grow up to scare tourists too.<br><br ...

... of you still in New Zealand or planning to go, each of the above activities were absolute highlights and are fully endorsed with my own "Underpants Man Seal of Approval"<br><br>---------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -----------------------------<br><br>Wi r haben die hoechsten Berge Mt Cook (3775m) und Mt Tasman mit ihren Gletschern umflogen, gruene (von dem geloesten Sediment) Gletscherseen wie den ...