New Zealand - Pancake Rocks


After the Cyclone cleared out we wound our way through the mountains to the west coast with the promise of two or three good days of weather, which is about the best you can expect on this wet side of the island. On the way we stopped at the scenic alpine Lake Rotoiti and at Buller Gorge. The latter featured a Swing Bridge which Deborah had no interest in crossing (i.e., was terrified). We have seen several of these types of pedestrian bridges at river crossings in New Zealand and they do swing and bounce a bit. Deborah has bravely faced her fears on these but this one was decidedly longer and higher so she decided to give it a pass. The short loop trail on the other side was nothing to write home about so she probably made the right choice. Once on the coast we stopped at Punakaiki, also known as Pancake Rocks for the layered limestone formations that have the appearance of stacked pancakes. We made sure to visit at high tide for the famed blowhole action but we saw none of it; we only heard some mild rumbling as the waves surged through the openings in the coastal cliffs. Apparently rough seas are required in addition to high tide, so we had to settle for the sight of the very interesting geological formations.

Lake Rotoiti


Swing bridge at Buller Gorge. Deborah was not a fan.



Punakaiki, aka Pancake Rocks








I'm guessing that hole would produce some of the excitement if the seas were just a bit higher.
(photo by Deborah)


(photo by Deborah)


(photo by Deborah)


(photo by Deborah)


Sun on the west coast!


Just south of Punkaiki we stayed at an AirBnB caravan with a view of the ocean and these miniature horses.


Sunset from the caravan.

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