Punakaiki Resort

Punakaiki<br> <br>We left Kanuka ridge and headed through Westport to Punakaiki, a 4 hour windy mountainous drive led us to the Te Nikau retreat, it was certainly tucked away! After settling into our room we followed a sign that said &#8216;beach&#8217; 5minutes walk! Off we went into the rain forest and then out through a flax walkway and then a cliff walk!! Down onto what ended up being a rocky beach with stones and a VERY rough sea! No ...

... so that on some of the stacks you wouldn't be surprised to see the occassional fat American with a big jug of syrup trying to tuck into a free lunch whilst no-one was looking.<br><br>There were huge blowholes amongst the rocks which, if you watch at high tide, spout huge geyser-like spurts of water up into the air. As ever our timing was impeccable - this is another phenomena we need to park for the next time we're in these neck of ...

What a cool little town this place is<br><br>After a gorgeous drive up the west coast of NZ we rolled into here at about 4pm<br><br>After sorting out a van site, meeting the local cat and watching an awesome sunset we decided to just settle down with a nice meal and a couple of beers<br>

... powerful je boats in New Zealand. The girls were wanting to go horse trekking but there were not enough spaces so had to give it a miss. We left the boys and all those doing different activities and headed to the hostel in Westport. Whilst waiting for the boys to return the girls washed and chilled out before all going for a steak dinner at Porto Bella's - on the way we bumped in to Dan's friends he met in OZ and arranged to ...

... in NZ, since it had been so quite! Whilst here we did the usual walk around the town as per our trusty guide book, took a gondola up to a viewing area over the town and met up with our Kiwi friends, Lee and Brian. Lee and Brian live in Cromwell about an hour from Queenstown, we had a great weekend with them, reminiscing about our trip in South America and being shown around their area. They are lucky enough to be surrounded by mountains, vineyards and fruit farms. We ...

... only outside. Brian was visited by a possum with the head the size of a large dog. - Played teather ball (Becky won!). Sorry, I have to add that stuff in. - Went to the Cape Pillisner lighthouse, which is the most southern tip of the North Island. Saw more sea loins. - That remains me, if you're wondering from our pictures, Brian hasn't cut his hair since we left Chicago. He's hoping he can put it in a ponytail by the time we reach ...

... can you get done for been over the limit driving a helicopter? - unfortunately I wasn't lucky enough to be one of the chosen girls not drunk enough or young enough I think!!! But hey all makes for a great chat up line "Fancy a ride in my helicopter" That's about all folks, going to Franz Josef tomorrow where we get to do some Glacier climbing so that will be very exciting. Hope you enjoy the pictures and not long till we are home. Take Care H and J xx

... we had paid her!! So we got more beer, dodged the creeps for the day and were safely tucked up in bed by the time the rain came. Only thing we noticed was that the battery in the car was beginning to die. At that stage (like 11.30pm) there was nothing we could do but deal with it in the morning. I don't think either of us slept at all that night. Not one wink. Trying to figure out how we get to the bus stop of a sleepy town at like 6.30am if the car wouldn't start. So, by 6, our ...

... the west side of the island through<br>all the mountains and Arthur's pass. Every hairpin turn around the<br>mountains were a little scary at first but second nature to Lu. Plus<br>all the valleys and rock formations were totally LOTR.<br><br><br>6:00<br>PM - Once we ...