Punakaiki [March 5 - 8]

Punakaiki was absolutely blissful! Not only because of our hostel -a hostel in the middle of the jungle!-, the lovely weather -sunshine all the way-, but also because of the beautiful surrounding, great atmosphere and good company!


Me in the mine-workers museum, in Reefton.


On our way to Punakaiki.


Just after sunset, on the beach behind the hostel.


Pancake rocks.


One of the blow holes near the pancake rocks.


Me in front of the pancake rocks.

The Pancake Rocks that Punakaiki is famous for, are limestone formations that began forming 30 million years ago, when lime-rich fragments of dead marine creatures were deposited on the seabed, then overlaid by weaker layers of soft mud and clay.
The seabed was raised above sea level by earthquakes to form the coastal cliffs and coastline. The sea, wind and rain have since etched out the soft layers to form the unusual rock formations we see today.
When conditions are right, heavy ocean swells thunder into the caverns beneath the rocks and huge water spouts blast skywards through the blow holes in a truly spectacular sight.

The next day me, Michael, Sarah, Ollie and Mo went to a couple of caves. Heaps of fun guaranteed!

Me in one of the smaller caves.


Caves.


This river normally runs below the rocks. The guys wouldn't stop climbing. :)



The beach near the hostel.


And another sunset on the west coast...

To be continued!