22/9/2011
Today's an almost full day on the road. We left Fox Glacier township at 8.30am and made our way on an 11-hour drive to Nelson. As usual, we waited for the bus to come and pick us up, but this time it came much earlier than the stated time. So we went on board early and waited for the other passengers to come. The bus driver looked like the Green Globin from spiderman! Interesting driver.
After leaving Fox Glacier town, we picked up a few others at Franz Josef. The road along the glacier country is slow and winding, with as many uphill drive as the downs.
An extensive road construction in Franz Josef.
Cows lazing under the tree.
We made a stop at Whataroa for a toilet break and to get some snacks from the nearby convenience store. There was also a jade and jewelry store that sells really expensive stuff.
Not long later we made another stop, but a longer one, at the Bushman Cafe. It's quite a big cafe with a souvenir store connected to it. Many hilarious signs were also pasted at various places throughout the entire building so that people can have a laugh. There's even a sign outside that says "If you cant laugh you shouldn't be here!"
Mountain goat at the carpark outside the cafe.
The sign that forbids people without any sense of humor from entering!
Ow, that's harsh.
Flat white?
Nice setting, the chairs are lined with real animal fur so sitting on it didn't feel cold!
About an hour after leaving the Bushman Cafe, we were at Hokitika to drop some people off and, for the others who were continuing the bus ride, another rest stop. I went with my brother to a bookstore we chanced upon while walking around the town. Didn't get any books though. The weather was chilly and cloudy but we went to the beach and looked out at the Tasman Sea.
Crossing the bridge over the Hokitika River gorge.
Looking at the Hokitika clock tower.
The stairs leading to the beach.
Facing north along the west coast of New Zealand on a cloudy day.
We all got back to the bus about 40 minutes later and headed further up north to Greymouth where many passengers got off to catch the TranzAlpine railway to Arthur's Pass or Christchurch. I tried that last year and it was really worth it. The train cuts across the Southern Alps from the west to the east, passing by scenery that can keep your eyes glued onto them throughout the train journey. But this time we didn't get onto the train but instead headed up north to Nelson.
The TranzAlpine railway station.
Nice reflection of the Grey River.
After leaving Greymouth, we were on the road again and made another scenic stop at Punakaiki. Punakaiki is famous for its pancake rocks and the blowholes. The pancake rocks can be seen always but the blowholes can only get its full appreciation from visitors when the timing is right. Which means it had to be high tide to see the forces of nature in action.
Beautiful drive along the west coast.
Foggy sea mist blowing in from the west.
Someone burning something?
A family looking out at the mountains far away.
Unique rock formation!
We were still early and had something light to munch on while waiting for the bus to open.
Cute ketchup dispenser from the cafe.
I fell asleep during the drive from Punakaiki to Nelson but woke up at some points lucky enough to see some interesting things.
Last view of the west coast before heading inland.
Never seen such a car before.
A jetboat on the Buller River.
As the sun sets for the day.
We were still about an hour to reaching Nelson and it was already dark. Once at Nelson, we checked in to our accommodation which required a climb up some stairs. Had Kiwi Burger at McDonalds' just opposite the hostel for dinner!
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