Lunch stop

Drove to Punakaiki from Kaikoura today - after a quick drive to the end of the peninsular to look at the seals there. Very long journey to the west coast, following lots of beautiful rivers - including this one which we stopped by for lunch - and through the Lewis Pass.

Had a couple more stops on the way - for a coffee in Reefton and supermarket supplies in Westport - then drove on the final 50km to Punakaiki with stunning (and very wild) coastal views.

Checked into our hostel, Te Nikau Retreat, cooked an early dinner (we'd just seen a bus full of backpackers pull up, so decided to get in quick!), and had a walk down to a beautiful and wild beach there. Watched the waves crashing on the rocks for ages, before heading back to our room for a bottle of wine and a lovely evening of chatting away :)