Beach Hideaway Barrytown

From the moment I stept of the ferry and arrived on the South Island I got very excited of what may lie ahead of me. Ever since I mentioned to other travellers, who have been or are from New Zealand, that I was going there that if I do one thing it would be to visit the South Island.

I got into a new stray bus with a new lovely group, mostly 19-24 year olds with the occasional 26+ travellers (me of course with the age of 30 belonged into this group of ...

On the way to Barrytown we stopped at a coastal lookout called Pancake Rocks. They are wierd rock formations, where the rocks look like thin layers of rock lying on top of each other, or pancakes lying on top of each, hense the name.

At Barrytown i was hoping to do some Jade stone carving. However once we got to the workshop we were shown the shapes we'd be able to make in the 4hrs we had to work in. They were really simple shapes, like circles, rectangular ...

Head south through the Buller Gorge to the 'wild' West Coast. Tonight we stay in a historic hotel in Barrytown near Punakaiki, one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. We make stops on the way for the Westport seal colony, to explore the awesome Pancake rocks and their mighty blowholes, or take a hike down into the temperate rainforests of the Paparoa National Park along the Truman Track.

... in life and praying to be safely returned to her loved ones. Basically guys the photos should say it all - so I won't rant on about it. The very friendly Liam checks us in and if anything strikes me about sky diving - its how quick it all happens both the dive itself and the prep. My diving buddy - Evan - has me harnessed up, interviewed on DVD and in the plane with minimal instruction (you actually do nothing - they do it all) before you can blink ...

... side comes out a bit... I get abit frustrated at the beginning by th ewoman who gives me explanations: she doesn't really explain how I should do it and disappears and I don't ilke being left there not knowing what to do!!! but I get on wit hit and by the end I am actually really pleased with the outcome!! they help you of course but we did most of it alone!! really impressive!! As we carve our bones I spend a few minutes observing people around me ...

... it was so lovely, even in the pouring rain, that i even wanted to stay there and WOOF for 2 weeks to earn my accommodation and evening meal in return for 3hrs making beds and cleaning...but there literally was nothing there apart from the beach (and i also needed to keep moving to see the south of the south island before it got really cold!!) so decided against it!! once the rain stopped, i went out to the beach and found lots of pink mussel shell (which i will admit i ...

... Gorge to the West Coast to a place called Punakaiki. Punakaiki is known for its "Pancake Rocks" formations and blowholes and isn't really a town, more of a small stopping point for travelers, with just a tavern, café and the Paparoa National Park. We were happy to discover that our campervan park was located in a beautiful setting right on the beach. As a side note, the campervan parks in NZ have a really ...

... although some of the costumes were actually really quite good. Our 72 y/o passenger John even made an effort chucking on a flimsey dress and bra over his normal clothes, and a frog face mask. Fantastic. They don't drink though and by 10 they went to bed. Kerry, our driver, put on a coat/dress made of bin liners and a blow up kiwi. Strange. We danced on the tables all night as the beers ...

... waves flowing in, causing blowholes, surges between the rocks, and the Sudden Sound. This cool feature whereby you stand at a certain place, you will hear the sound like a train whistling through a tunnel to come crashing to you Punakaiki Cottages We booked ourselves into these quaint cottages. It was very nice and cosy, with a kitchen and all. We ate homecooked Bacon eggs beef dinner with toast n kiwi fruit.