Punakaiki

We didn't do much today other than drive to Nelson, on the north shore of the south island. Along the way, we stopped at Punakaiki, where there are pancake rocks and blowholes to see.

The pancake rocks are a limestone formation - layers of sediment pressed into what looks like stacks of pancakes. The blowholes are chambers where the tide enters, and then sprays out the top, like a whale exhaling. We took the basic walk on the scenic path, and looked out over as the waves washed against cliffs and crags. After taking a bunch of photos, we got back in the car and continued along the highway.

Pancake Rocks


Rocky outcropping


Blowhole before...


Blowhole after


More pancakes!


I caught a rainbow!


We came to a canyon suspension bridge which offered a zip-line ride. However, their credit card machine wasn't working so I couldn't buy a ticket. I could have payed cash but I decided not to do that and instead save cash for places that required it. That was a good call as the Thai restaurant we ate at tonight only took cash (or EFTPOS, the NZ direct debit network, but none of our cards work on that).