The Brotzman Adventures -Day 6

Ok so it has been too long since my last post about our adventures. Here is the report from the sixth day of our travels:

We woke in Haast and had breakfast at McGuire's the place in our hotel. Then we drove back up the West Coast towards the Fox glacier area to hike the Lake Matheson trail. It's supposed to be the most beautiful trail, one where you can see Mount Cook and all the other Mountains reflecting in the lake. So we got some lunch and went on the two hour hike. Unfortunately it was a cloudy day (one of the only ones) so we weren't able to see the mountains. All in all the lake was gorgeous and peaceful. It was fun to watch all the birds, explore the fauna and simply enjoy the outdoors.

After we returned from our walk we had a small afternoon tea at a cafe in the Fox Glacier area and then headed up to a small walk called the Lake Moraine walk. And I, exhausted from all the driving, took a nap in the car while Karen and Dad hiked it. it only too 15 minutes, so I wasn't missing much.

We then drove north more to Hokitika, encountered some crappy camper-van drivers along the way, but made it safe and sound. We got a fabulous deal at the "Beachside Motel" a quaint little place near the ocean. In our "room" was a kitchen, a lounge, two bedrooms and a bathroom. So we really had somewhere around five beds for the three of us. Spoiled, eh? We went shopping for some Paua jewelry (made of the Paua seashell) and my dad finally found the perfect pair of earrings for my mom. To all of our disappointment, someone stole them from his carry-on on his way home from NZ. I felt horrible since he looked so hard for the perfect pair for her. We're going back to Hoki in a few days so hopefully i'll be able to find a similar pair. We watched the sunset over the Tasman sea for the second and final time of our trip and then toured the neighboring hotel's petting zoo type thing. There were lots of chickens and other birds, wild pigs (not so wild in their pens), llamas, alpacas, other sorts of cute animals that obviously helped draw a crowd to that hotel. We then had dinner at the Cafe du Paris, one of the nicest places we ate the entire time (other than the Blue Ice Cafe). The food was amazing and french and really quite refreshing. I don't think I would drive over to the West JUST to go to that cafe, but I would make it a priority to stop and eat there while visiting that coast.

After dinner we headed to the glow-worm dell. This was very exciting since I didn't think that Karen or my Dad would get the chance to see these little guys. I've seen them in the caves when i went underground but these guys were above ground in this giant circular place. It's hard to explain. it was like walking down a forest path and then coming to a culdusac in the woods...only it was in the dark. And it was hysterical. These three american tourists (yes i still count as one as long as i'm with two other american tourists, going places i haven't been) gripping onto one another and whispering and laughing and running into bushes. When we finally got to the end it was beautiful. Like tiny stars in the sky, they reminded me of my caving experience with Brett. I was so happy to have shared this moment with Karen and my Dad. Such a cool and unique thing.

Basically this day was meant to get us up nearer Greymouth where we'd have to catch the train home. I was definitely going crazy by then as I'd driven nearly a billion miles up and down NZ. But all in all it was a fantastic day and despite the Lake Matheson doom and gloom clouds, we still managed to enjoy it.

Ok...sorry this entry has been less than brilliant. i am beat and off to bed. I'll be back soon with the rest of the adventures.

-NMK :-)