West coast; scenery, rocks and glaciers......and wine....

So after our fabulous whale watching off we went over the mountains to Hamner Springs.  A geothermal hot spot in the middle of the mountains.  Think Banff without the cheesy stuff.  After a couple of tough days basking in the hot springs off we went to quick stop in Greymouth. 

We drove up the coast to the "Pancake Rocks".  Neat bedded limestone and blow holes during high tide.

A drive down to Hokitika which is home to the famous "Ruby Rock".  Ok its the NZ national gemstone and quite unknown mineral called goodletite.  For those geologists, check out one of your petrology books, it might mention it. 

We then drove along the beautiful rain forest coast to Franz Joseph.  Home of one of 14 glaciers in this area.  For those OGS types who have not seen one, here is a glacier.  We stayed over in a rain forest tree house accomodation, cool. 

Then a drive along the coast and a bit in land to Wanaka. 

This is a beautfiul small town that is right on a lake.  It is surrounded by snow capped mountains.  We walked a long way around the lake and found, guess what, a vineyard!!  Well what could we do except go sample the wine, with some cheese of course.  Dwayne spent the afternoon flying around in a Tiger Moth biplane at the Wanaka airport.  I spent the afternoon going for a run.  Somehow I think he got a better deal.....