Hokitika, New Zealand

Hi to All in USA, PNG and New Zealand!!

We have had very little feedback (comments) since sending our blog from New Zealand..........have you quit reading?? Today we had quite an active day!! Read on.............

We had a delightful breakfast with our hosts at the B&B we stayed at last night. Homemade multigrain bread, fresh squeezed juice, etc. (This was our splurge night!! Really the only one since we left home and it was wonderful.)

We left Murchison and stopped first at Maruia falls on the Buller river. These falls were caused by the 1929 earthquake that occurred in the area. We took a short walk down to the river.

Moving on toward Westport we stopped at N Z longest swinging bridge which crosses the Buller Gorge/River. Despite fear of heights Mary determined she would cross the bridge. Fortunately only the two of us were on the bridge at one time. We took a loop walk viewing remnants of an old gold mine, as well as the site of the fault line of the '29 earthquake. At the end of the loop walk we had to decide whether to return to the other side of the river on a zip line or on the same bridge. Finally we decided to ride tandem on the zip line! This was a blast and the guy at the other end was suppose to be videoing our ride and he forgot! Wouldn't you know it?...so all you get are 'still' shots!! (We have a video that Duff took from behind!) I would have insisted on another ride but I would have had to cross the bridge again.....not worth it!!

Our next stop was in Panakaiki....this was to view 'pancake rocks' and the blow holes. Unfortunately we saw only one small blow hole but the rock formations were incredible.

We got to Greymouth about 4 pm and stopped at the grocery store. Then we drove on to Hokitika. This is a seaside town with many more accomodations than eating establishments!! So we managed to find fish and chips at a take-away cafe for dinner.

After eating b'fast (Coffee, Evelyn's fruit and some date scones) in the morning we will head out for Arthur's Pass (nestled in the Southern Alps) and on to Christchurch. Tomorrow night and Wednesday morning we will spend with our fun & graciuos Christchurch hosts, the Meikles, and they will drop us at the airport midday Wednesday for our long journey home to the states!!

We have had an incredible 7 weeks and cannot even put into words what it meant to spend 4 of those weeks in PNG. We loved it!!

Our Best to all.....

Mary and Jim

Note to Jan and Patrick: We just enjoyed a Magnum in your honor!