Stalactites & Nikau Palms

Today we had the good fortune to paddle up Sandhills Creek, to Lake Otuhie, still in Golden Bay, but down the West Coast towards to the Anatori River. We were very fortunate because we paddled at mid-tide, when normally there wouldn't be enough flow in the creek, but at present the mouth is dammed meaning there's more water than usual.

You'll be able to see stalactites hanging down from the cave roof up on the cliff, plus a beautiful stand of Nikau Palms. I've never seen so many Nikaus - they are so beautiful! We had to paddle between hundreds of flax bushes, all mirrored in the waters, with high limestone cliffs on either side, into a forested lake - with tuis and bellbirds in full song. What a delight!

It was hard to choose which image to blip! More stalactites!