Our Journey Through New Zealand Continues

Our journey through New Zealand continues.  We left Okarita covered in sand fly bites but enjoying beautiful weather.  We passed more areas of slide damage along the road and were so grateful we were not part of them.  The amount of force that some of these slides held pushed trees across the road and piled them nearly twenty feet high in some places.

West coast slide, New Zealand

We found the Lyell reserve campground and decided to camp for the night.  A young bicyclist told us storms were predicted for late evening.  Was he right!  When the storm began, the wind came down so forcefully that it felt as if we were caught in a wind sheer.  The camper rocked back and forth dreadfully.  We thought at times that the rig would topple over on its side.  Rain pelted the hood or pounded us horizontally.  For a few moments, it felt like we were in a hurricane.  Thankfully by morning the storm had passed, and we found sunshine later that day.

We passed through a small town and discovered an equestrian event taking place right along the roadside.  We watched ladies prance their horses in front of judges.  It was so fun to see the women all dressed up in jackets and bonnets.  They also had jumping events with a variety of age groups.  We had such fun watching them.

Equestrian event, New Zealand

Later we stopped by Dolomite Point to take hike the Punakaiki Reserve Pancake Rock and Blowholes.  Unfortunately, the wind was the wrong direction for the blowholes to be active.  Nonetheless, the pancake rocks were quite interesting.  The limestone rocks have been eroded over time.  Some have "toppings" with various plant life.  Scientists have yet to discover why the rocks have so many layers.

Punakaiki Reserve Pancake Rock

Punakaiki Reserve Pancake Rocks

Further up the road we took the Cape Foulwind walkway, enjoying its distant seal colony, shorebirds, and its light house.  The Cape was named by English explorer Captain James Cook in 1770 when his ship Endeavor was blown out to sea in heavy weather.

Cape Foulwind

Sea Colony, Cape Foulwind

Lighthouse at Cape Foulwind, New Zealand

Finally, we spent the night at a lovely little park near Cable Bay.

Cable Bay, New Zealand

We watched surfers in the fading sunlight and enjoyed the tranquility of a calm sea.  Life is good, indeed!

Surfers on Cable Bay

Protected cove on Cable Bay