We are in the tiny area of Punakaiki on the coast and it is tropical, lush, green, and different from farther south on this west coast. We have a little bungalow in the rainforest for 2 nights. It's an 8 minute walk to the ocean and you can hear the waves crashing really loud from our little patio. You can't see anything but jungle, and lots of birds are singing. Awesome spot!
There is an area nearby where the giant rocky formations at the coast look like piles of pancakes. When the tide rushes in, the force blows spray up crevices between the huge rock buttes, thus pancakes and blowholes. It is fantastic!
We walked through a cave that was pretty cool and followed a trail up along the Pororari River which is crystal clear and flows into the ocean. Toward the top is an area they are repairing because a monster storm went through and blew down huge trees and it is a weird place to see. And today the sun is shining.
Tomorrow we drive to the north west part of the coast near the Tasman National Forest for our last 3 nights on the south island.
Every photo looks like a postcard!
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