April 29 - Otira

 We left Reefton this morning with the plan of backtracking what we did yesterday because the views were so amazing, and we were wanting to see the blowholes at Punakaiki at high tide to see if they are more impressive at that time.  So we set the alarm clock for early and hit going.  High tide was at 0930 this morning and we estimated that it would take us 2 hours to get back to Punakaiki.  

On our way yesterday we saw a sign for a seal colony….so that was our plan for today….to stop there on our way.  We got to the parking lot and noticed that there was an ambulance in the parking, three attendants and a rescue boat and truck on the beach.  Apparently two young surfers had gotten caught in the riptide.  When we arrived all the excitement was done, and everyone was packing up and leaving.  Glad everyone was ok.  

I took a short walk over to the seal colony and watched 4-5 sunning themselves on some rocks, and several pairs that were moving around.  There were waves, and sand and rocks.  I could have stayed and watched for hours watching and listening to the surf….but we were on a mission.  One more stop….back to the lighthouse.  

Eventually we made it back to Punakaiki and the blowholes.  They were about the same as yesterday….but another amazing place to watch the waves crashing into the rocks with so much force.  

It was now early afternoon….time to hit the road.  We planned on staying at the town of Arthur’s Pass on the road called Arthur’s pass.  By the time we arrived…the cafe was closing, and no rooms left in town.  We decided to backtrack to the town of Otira that we had just passed, where we saw the figure of Gollum - from Lord of the Rings- he’s sitting on the roof of the railway station…that’s turned into a restaurant and hotel.  

This place is amazing.  Antique furniture in all the rooms…including the toilets and sinks.  Antiques on the main floor…so much stuff to look at!  And the owner was proudly showing us bits and pieces as she showed us the rooms, cooked our meals and ran the place!  I don’t think she ever sits down!  The place is huge….and crammed full of antiques.  This place must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated.  We are having fun…and just love discovering places such as this.  What a find.  

Our room tonight in the old railway station

A collection of antiques just piled on the table 

One of 4 rooms filled with antiques

I just love a fire- especially when the fireplace is huge!

Viaduct on the Arthur’s Pass road.  Steep grades here, up to 18%.  Glad I’m driving and not cycling 

The blowhole at Punakaiki 

Lighthouse near Westport

Seals sunning themselves at the seal colony

The gorge near Reefton

One of the restaurants in Reefton.  All the store fronts and restaurants in Reefton have kept their original facades from the late 1800’s

The hand pies have become a favourite of ours.  These are savory, stuffed with minced meat and gravy.  Some are more exotic and are stuffed with butter chicken.  At the very first hotel that I stayed at when I arrived, the owner said that her cousin had moved to Edmonton and opened up the South Island Pie company.  Looks like he’s still in business….we will have to pay him a visit when we return!