A Tall Stack of Pancake (Rocks)

These extraordinary limestone formations were created by a combination of seismic activity over 30 million years ago and coastal erosion ever since. The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks now jut out of the shoreline to provide beautifully complex rocky patterns.

We were told that under special circumstances the ocean surges into the massive coves and blasts up through blowholes in the rock structures. The ideal conditions for viewing require a high tide with a strong Westerly swell… exactly our situation!

From here it’s on down the coast for six plus hours of curvy coastal roads with stops at the Glaciers, and maybe even a helicopter ride if the weather cooperates… the coppers won’t go up with passengers if it’s raining, cloudy, or really windy. We’ve got our fingers crossed for good weather.

Check out all the photos here along with pictures from our drive down the coast.

Secret Bay Breakers

We stayed in a little B&B on a cliff overlooking a hidden bay just south of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. As we pulled in, the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks was unmistakable.

During check-in our host explained that this was a secret surfing spot that provides the most hollow left breaking wave in New Zealand. Unfortunately, the high wind conditions and westerly swell direction created dangerous currents and sloppy waves making the spot un-surfable… damn!

We settled for an impressive walk on the beach and enjoyed an antipasto sunset dinner overlooking the action in the bay.

Since we had left the travel plans wide open for the last week of our trip, our host offered advice on the multi-day drive ahead and recommended sites to see. She was even nice enough to book accommodations at a remote B&B which was going to be a good halfway point, although somewhat in the middle of nowhere.

Check out more shots of the waves here.

TranzAlpine Trekin’

We hopped the train in Christchurch heading over Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth on the wild West coast. It’s a scenic rail ride that takes a little over 4 hours twisting through the mountains along the river. Some of the cliffs that the train runs along are quite steep providing breathtaking drop-off views!

It has been in operation for over 100 years and was originally built to provide transport for logging and mining. We had a smooth ride and spent a bit of time in the open air viewing car as well, however, it was really jam packed. Everyone on the sold out train had the same idea.

See some more pics here

Christchurch the Garden City

Our time in Christchurch has been wonderful. Forecast predicted rain… they were wrong. It was perfect weather. The city has a lot of youth with teenagers moving about on their way to & from hiking in the New Zealand mountains.

Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Oxford Terrace, the Arts Centre, and much more filled our day. We even got out to the International Antarctic Center to see the wonders of this forbidden land and ride the Hagglund Antarctic amphibious vehicle. Quite exciting… next time I want to drive!

In the afternoon we meandered through the Botanic Gardens along the Avon river. This time of year is the Festival of Flowers with different flower displays all over the city and throughout the park. We spent hours walking and made sure to stop and smell the roses.

We wrapped up the day with a catnap on the riverbank and dinner at Hay’s, the restaurant associated with the New Zealand school of cooking & wine.

You can see more pictures from the day as well here

TranzCoastal Travelin’

We rode the ferry boat over to the South Island and caught the train down to Christchurch in the afternoon. The ferry is more like a cruise liner in size and style! We were fortunate enough to have good weather for smooth sailing. Very beautiful scenery along the way.

Then, we hopped the TranzCoastal railway for the ride to Christchurch. Not a high speed rail, but you do get moving as you cut along the cliff-side overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Pretty cool that they have an open-sided car for observing the countryside, although it’s kind of as if you were cattle back there. Great vista views and sheep-galore!

Here are more pics from ferry and train ride as well

Wellington the Capital City

We spent the day running around Wellington and had a really great time. New Zealand’s capital city is positioned at the base of a series of large hills that ring the harbour bay.

Our day began with a cable car ride from Lambton Quay to the city’s apex for a beautiful view. Then, we went to the harbour for a leisurely stroll along the docks and over to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. We spent much of the day checking out the different exhibits, and as luck would have it we got to see the largest colossal squid ever caught… over 12 feet long with eye’s the size of volleyballs!

Later we walked along the waterfront down Oriental Parade. Houses dot the hillside and the architecture has a very San Francisco style & feel. Wellington is a lively city with people everywhere and lots of community organized athletic activities and artistic events. While we were walking we saw a Maori rowing race in the harbour, a poetry reading, a rugby match, a soccer game, a concert, and much more.

See all the pictures and hear the sound of the Cicada bugs here.