This turned out to be a wise decision, because it allowed us to visit the Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park, just outside the small settlement of Punakaiki, located at the mouth of the Pororari River. There were many awesome tramps available in this area, but once again, time was the governing factor.
Below you will see pictures of our stay at Westport, our visit to the seal colony, our excursion at the Pancake Rocks, on our way down the South Island's west coast to our evening destination at the Franz Josef Glacier.
This beach was a LOT of fun! The water was cold, but not as cold as Batchawana in June, so we stayed and played in the surf for over half an hour. There was quite a sideways riptide, but it never presented a danger, as it merely moved you down the beach without you knowing it.
Looking into the sunset, Carters Beach, Westport, NZ
At our campground for the night, there were a lot of interesting sights, but the one below puzzled us the most. The foliage on this floral plant was quite rigid and thick, while the true colour was almost black. This is one plant that actually looks good with a dandelion as a counterpoint to it!
Dandelions and whatever, Carters Beach, Westport, NZ
Another view of Carters Beach, only this time looking eastward towards Westport and the mouth of the Buller River
Carters Beach, Westport, NZ
The next day began a little earlier than most, as we had a lot of ground to cover. Below, we stopped and took this photo of the Buller Bay shoreline from Clifftop Lane, just north and east of the seal colony.
Western Point of Buller Bay, NZ
Our next stop, the seal colony.
Tauranga Bay Seal Colony, Cape Foulwind, NZ
The view from the parking lot towards the seal colony
Tauranga Bay, NZ
No sooner had we exited our car, than the little vagabond below showed up looking cautiously for handouts.
DON"T FEED THE WEKA!
A curious--and flightless--Weka bird that greeted us at the car park on our way to the seal colony
Tauranga Bay, NZ
Below can be seen a view of Wall Island from the pathway around the point that was the seals' home.
Wall Island, Tauranga Bay, NZ
Success finally!! Having struck out at The Archway Rocks, Cailin was overjoyed, and our whole group was likewise excited about our first encounter with the fun-loving beasties. For more info on them, go to http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/nz-fur-seal/
New Zealand Fur Seals, cavorting and sunbathing in the lee of their rock
Tauranga Bay, NZ
After this big stretch and a scratch, this lolly-gagger hunkered down for a cosy nap
Fur Seals, doing their thing
Tauranga Bay, NZ
The view from the seal colony, looking north.
Tauranga Bay, NZ
From the exact same vantage point as the one above, you could look southward and see Tauranga Bay in the foreground, with Nine Mile Beach in the background.
View from atop the bluff at the Tauranga Seal Colony
Tauranga Bay, NZ
Below you can see a shot from Okari Road, of the north end of Nine Mile Beach--a straight stretch of sand--looking northward, towards Tauranga Bay.
Nine Mile Beach, NZ
Our seal colony excursion concluded, we journeyed on down the coast until we reached the northern parts of the Paparoa National Park, where scenes like the one below were all too common to take a photo of every one.
West Coast of New Zealand, Paparoa National Park, NZ
This picture had a quaint story to go with it; we stopped by the side of the road, near an interesting rock formation, viewable from the highway, but not from a spot safe for a vehicle to stop in, being that there were no shoulders to safely park on. Thus, we kept traveling until we could find the next turn out, to park the car. We had just about given up hope in finding access to the beach to get the shot we wanted, when we found a kind of driveway into a kind of cottage/old trailer collection area. Th trailers hardly looked serviceable, while the cottages looked deserted, so we boldy proceeded seaward through the kind of residential enclave. Having reached my goal, I took this wonderful shot, below, and then began my return trip to the car. Along the way, however, the local denizens had re-inhabited their hovels--a pair of hippies who looked like they escaped the sixties and the barber's shears alike. As I passed by what they felt passed as an abode, I cheerily called out, "That's some view you've got there!" To which he replied, "No doubt that, mate.", and so I blithely carried on, using my dumb-Canadian tourist-accent as a shield to any unwelcome scrutiny by the couple, (who may or may not have been squatters themselves.) I guess we'll never know, but that won't stop us from laughing about it for many years, though!
Looking South along the Western Shore of New Zealand's South Island
Paparoa National Park, NZ
Another Highway pull out, showing awesome views of the Paparoa Coastline
Paparoa National Park, NZ
More Picturesque views of the Paparoa Coastline
We eventually came to this lookout spot, but as is often the case, with both limited equipment, and even more limited photographical talent, the picture we got did not do the area any justice.
Below is the only shot we felt was blog-worthy.
Next stop; the Pancake Rocks, but immediately before it, we saw this inviting entrance to what promised to be an awe inspiring trail. Alas!
Paparoa National Park, NZ
The photo only tells a very small portion of the tale that is the cheeky Weka bird! If they weren't so cute, they'd be a nuisance for sure! Both Cal and I had our fingers nipped while holding out food scraps for them to eat, but we both agreed that the experience was well worthwhile, as the nips didn't hurt at all.
Pancake Rocks Picnic Area,
Paparoa Park, NZ
Cal and Cailin at the Pancake Rocks
Paparoa National Park, NZ
Paparoa National Park, NZ
Dat's a whole lotta pancakes, momma! For more info on these unusual specimens of limestone stylobedding, head to http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/geology-overview/6/5/2
Unique limestone formation on the Paparoa coastline.
Paparoa National Park, NZ
Unfortunately, as it was not high tide when we were there, the blow holes were not active. It would've been nice to see, but we didn't feel cheated in the least! How could you with all that we'd seen?
Paparoa National Park, NZ
The shore-scapes continued as we headed southward.
This was a rather unique experience, as we followed a train across a one-lane bridge, acting as a caboose, of sorts.
Just North of Greymouth, NZ
Pressing on with a purpose from Greymouth, it wasn't long before we saw the glaciers of Franz Josef
Franz Josef, NZ
Blog Central from Franz Josef
~ Good night after a long day from Franz Josef! ~
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