Wild West Coast, NZ

Fri 20 Feb, 2009 - Nelson to Greymouth

Today was basically a travel day which we nearly didn’t undertake… our names weren’t on the list. Don’t quite know how and never will but something to do with changing our minds and the head office paperwork not being updated correctly. So at 7.45am standing in the rain with our bags packed and in line to get on the bus, reach the front and ‘sorry the 52 seater is fully booked and your names aren’t on the list’. But why not??? We got off the bus three days ago and left our names with the last driver. So we went to the back of the line and waited to see what would happen next. Jen stressing and me going whatever another day here… Finally everyone was boarded and hang on two were missing … the driver asked others on the bus … no answer. As luck would have it two seats were now available! So we jumped on, crossed fingers and urged (quietly) the bus to go - just in case two heads suddenly appeared from around the corner.
Felt mean but hey we wanted to keep ourselves on some sort of schedule. Another few pickup points and hoped that the two people weren’t at one of the other hostels - though Jen was certain she had seen them only yesterday. We had been on a tour with them two days ago and they had said they were only staying three days - now that they have missed the bus guess they are staying longer! So yes we got through the pick ups and we were still seated on the bus … YEAH!! We thought maybe they got confused by the departure time as Jen had thought it was 8.15 not 7.45 atone stage. Chatting with some of the girls later in the day - apparently they were out drinking last night and maybe they didn’t wake up this morning. Did see a friend of theirs and he had left the hostel this morning (though different bus company) - so who knows. Anyway what is potentially not great for them worked fabulously for us.

So the trip took us south along the Wild West Coastline.

The views at times were spectacular as we edged our way around the cliff face. The drive took us along Buller Gorge which, with the weather being a little wet, saw the water level high(er) and flowing fast - some good rapids! Though no one was out today. Stopped off at Cape Foulwind which was named by Captain Cook after his ship was blown of course. Though, the driver’s version was that at the time the ship passed the area the cabin boy let one rip - a foul wind!! This story came from a good source - passed down through the generations from the driver’s ancestor who was on the ship!! There is a fur seal colony here and numerous pups following their mothers around the rocks.

We continued through Paparoa National Park and had a couple of scenic photo stops. Which kindly the rain eased momentarily for us - though still very clouded, foggy images.

We then reached the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. After a short walk through the bush we came across them - much smaller than would have expected. A couple of rocks with a layered effect. Though continue down the path and more of these rocks keep appearing. Whilst they aren’t large the number of them adds up to many pancake stacks!! The coast line due to the weather was also smashing furiously onto the coastline with the occasional spray heading skyward.

Arrived in Greymouth at 5.30pm and dropped off at Noah’s Arc Hostel. I’m staying in the Monkey room and Jen is in the Penguin room. It is a homely hostel with each room decorated/painted with a different animal - great, fun idea. Well other than the Brewery tour not much else to do in Greymouth. And due to time of arrival the town is very quiet. Which is potentially good as I have washing to do and to update my journal for the last 5 days (been a little slack … busy!) Jen maybe not as happy with me as I didn’t go out for dinner either as I had some bits and pieces to eat that I have been carrying around to eat before they spoil. The good thing with hostels is that they always have kitchens and fridge space so can do your own meals.