The walk was again in temperate rain forest. The native Nikau Palms (below) are added to the mix. For some strange reason, I finally saw the inspiration for Egyptian columns in the Nikau Palm. Was I too busy looking at all the dazzling artifacts in Egypt to pay any attention to palm trees?!
Pancake Rocks are named for the stacked rock formations. We are generally not impressed by strange formations, mere results of probability. The blowholes here were fascinating. We had the dumb luck of spending the night in the village so we got to see the blowholes in action during high tide.
The bus ride from Franz Josef to Punakaiki was long. We stopped in the west coast beach town of Hokitika for a 20 minute break.
Hokitika, which to us seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, has a vintage art deco cinema, the Regent Theatre.
Later, we changed buses at the Greymouth train station, and noticed a fellow traveler with unique shoes (1st below). Greymouth is the western terminus of the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Passengers disembark here, and continue their journeys by car or bus or(?).
The rest of the ride up the west coast to Punakaiki was very scenic.
In Punakaiki, we had a budget room in the fancy right-on-the-beach "Scenic Hotel Punakaiki". Below is Sun-Ling walking from the bus stop to the motel at center right; however, our room, with no view at all, was in the adjunct section across the road to the left. Smile.
The next morning we set out early so we could complete the "Punakaiki - Pororari River Loop Trail" and still catch our 4pm bus to Nelson.
Trail Maintenance Crew. I hope!!
The trail was in great condition, the river gorges amazing, and the flora and fauna cool .
Taking a rest on the rocks knowing that we'll make the 4pm bus.
Bonus video. First, a curious bird follows John. Second, where is that singing bird?
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