This past weekend was Simon's birthday so I decided, as he hadn't been to visit, to take him over to the coast for a round trip. We headed out Saturday morning with cloudy skies but by the time we got further west and headed into Arthur's Pass the sun was shinning bright. Simon got to see snow for the first time on his birthday. The mountains were beautifully covered with snow heading into the Pass and by the time we stopped in Arthur's it was freezing but the sun was shinning bright.
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| In the Arthur's Pass just before the Viaduct |
We stopped just pass the Viaduct at a stopover and took some photos, a Kea came and started drinking the snow. As we were about to leave we heard this thump and he'd landed on our driver's side rear view mirror, just sat there chilling. Took a couple of snap shots and even after we started the car he didn't seem too phased. It was two cars pulling up that distracted and him realising that we weren't going to pay him any more attention for him to hop off.
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| This cheeky Kea landed by our car where we stopped on the other side of the Viaduct. |
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| We were about to leave when we heard a thump and Cheeky Kea had landed on our rear view mirror. |
We drove down to Hokitika for some lunch and meet the Tasman Sea. A thought of going to Shantytown popped in but didn't have enough time to enjoy it before it would close for the day, so on the list to do next time we nip over. We headed up to Greymouth and checked into our hotel, which was really nice, heat pump, separate bed room, no bath but the shower was nice and big. Simon opened some more presents and then we went to a nice Pizza place for tea and then Speight's Ale House for dessert. Spent the rest of the evening watching Last Chance Chawners which was hilarious.
Sunday morning was breakfast at McDonalds and picked up some glasses from Monteith's brewery (the tour is on the list for next time too), then headed north for Westport. Stopped at the Pancake rocks and wondered round the loop. Absolutely great weather the entire weekend. Loved it. So still on the coast. For the middle of winter, couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
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| Punakaiki Pancake Rocks |
Stopped in Westport for lunch, had a lovely platter, which was devine. Then round to the seal colony at Cape Foulwind. Plenty of them lazing about on the rocks and driftwood, such the life. After the seals we headed inland towards Reefton and into the Lewis Pass. Next destination for the day was Maruia Springs.
Struck more snow as we got to Reefton and onto Springs Junction. The trees looked gorgeous in the afternoon sun with their sprinkling of snow that looked like they'd been dusted with icing sugar. Breathtaking.
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| Trees in the Lewis Pass |
While the Lewis was a lot more snow and icier than the Arthur's it was still a fairly peasant drive through and just before dusk we reached our final destination before home, "Maruia Springs", which I hadn't heard of until last Weds and it became a must to go. So in freezing cold weather we were soaking a 40 degree natural hot pool in our togs, snow right up to the rocks surrounding the hot pool. Absolutely gorgeous. And we've made it a must to go there for a couple of nights within the next year. It was so peaceful and quiet, we didn't want to leave and I would've quite happily stayed the night if Simon didn't have to be at work the next morning. While Hanmer Springs is fun and more things to do. I definitely prefer Maruia, for its peace and quiet, no cell phone reception, just lovely. I love the idea of escaping there for a couple of nights, reading a book, a wee stroll down the road, soaking in the pools and just relaxing. I want to go back this weekend just thinking about it.
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| Maruia Springs Hot Pools |
After Maruia, we continued through the Lewis in the dark, roads still slightly icy but quite alright. A full moon and stars shinning in the sky. We stopped in Culvenden for some fish and chips, stopped on the side of the road to eat them, as to cold sit on a park bench. And we were home by 9.30.
An absolutely wonderful weekend spent together, with good weather, great car to drive and beautiful God made scenery. Just perfect!!!!
