South Island: Pancake Rocks
We left the area of the glaciers and continued driving
north along the west coast. We stopped in Hokitika and Greymouth, both comfortable towns
with excellent opportunities to shop for jade/greenstone jewelry. In addition,
Hokitika has a Carnegie Library that now serves as the West Coast Historical
Museum ("Free Public Library" is still carved above the Greek column entrance).
Further up the west coast is Punakaiki, the gateway to Paparoa National Park, best known for the "Pancake Rocks." These
striking limestone formations and the blowholes that were formed within this small area
are an excellent place to stop for hiking, beach walking, canoeing, and caving.
There are few services in Punkaiki, but one
of shops serves great ice cream which attracts many people, including members
of a Rolls Royce touring club who had left Auckland the week before and would
finish their two-week ride in Christchurch later in the week. At the left
is Judy and her new friend.
