Two days to go. has it really been that long. I could go on for ever. I think Rons quite pleased its coming to an end so he can finally move house  🙂  Leaving Franz Josef we head out along the coast up to Hokitika, calling at the gold town of Ross on the way. Ross was established in the 1860s, during the west coast gold rush, where it became an important center for miners. After a quick coffee and a run round the jail house we set off up the coast road again. We stopped at the famed tree top walk and cafe just south of Hokitika. Here we climbed up amounst the trees along a metal gangway and up a rather high tower which swayed alot.

Into Hokitika for lunch and a visit to the museum at the famed jewel town. There was once 102 hotels in the town at the height of the gold rush. Lovely town with plenty of jade gallerys for those with lots of cash…(not me ) but nice to look around. One ice cream and off we go.

A quick stop in Greymouth for coffee and onto our nightly stop at punakaiki resort. Here are the pancake rocks. Not even the scientists know how these where formed. Astounding they are. The tied was not in far enough for us to get the benefit of the blow holes so we will try again in the morning. But the sea was very rough and crashed against the rocks as we walked round the trail. Great view from the hotel as we readied our selves for the farewell dinner in the restaurant. And a very raucous occasion it was. Lots of speeches and singing. I’m sure I saw a tear in Ron’s eye. Whether it was with relief or sadness Ill never know lol. Eventually we wound our way to our beds leaving the grateful staff to clear up behind us to not look forward to our last day of travel in this wonderful country.