Tuesday 30 May 2017

Punakaiki

On the Sunday of our reunion we decided to head up to Punakaiki and the blowholes after we had finished our lunch. All the planned stuff was finished and now it was time to relax and do some sightseeing. It was a lovely day, maybe a bit chilly but for Easter on the Coast it was magnificent - the weather really put on a good performance for us. Some of the family went out to the Pike River Mine to have a look at the memorial to the miners who lost their lives in the 2010 explosion and others joined us for an excursion up the coast road. We drove along beside the Tasman Sea.
I have put a lot of pictures up so I hope you don't get too bored, I'm going to mostly let them speak for themselves with maybe the occasional interruption from me :)


looking south and... 


...north on the Coast Road.


At Punakaiki.


The Pancake rocks.




Shags.


All of the blowholes were really blowing well, 
these two pics are of the Chimney Pot 
(that's it at the bottom of the picture just off centre)...


...and although it might not look it we could
 have done with umbrellas here :)
That is nikau palm forest just behind and on
 the hill at the back is ancient beech forest.


Some family and people shots.






DIL trying to replicate the Maori weaving below.



Nikau Palms.


Refreshments before we headed to our daughters holiday
 accommodation for a pizza tea by the beach with just 
our branch of the family...


...where we were treated to a beautiful sunset over the Tasman Sea.

When I was growing up Punakaiki was not "discovered" and my uncle and aunty had a bach (crib, holiday house) on the river here. We spent wonderful summer weekends here with our cousins, in and on the river, at the beach and running around the pancake rocks. It is quite interesting to see how it has been developed and made safe for tourists where we just used to run free but that is progress and it is a great natural asset for the area.

I hope you enjoyed looking at where 
a little piece of my heart still resides.


joining Debbie today for: 
Friday Foto Friends 

Diana

13 comments:

  1. It is a stunning part of the world. I would love to fill my lungs with some of that sea air.

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  2. What a beautiful place Diana...I know you enjoyed your family time there, making sweet memories.

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  3. Punakaiki with the combination of sea and different types of forest is beautiful. The rock formations are extraordinary. Thank you for sharing a place that's dear to you. It must have been good to be there with members of your family.

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  4. I have been craving some time by the sea.. Your photos filled in nicely. beautiful place!

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  5. Diana, such gorgeous pictures! Love the sunset. ♥

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  6. Awesome photos. Amazing to see the layers in those rocks.
    Sounds like a good time was had by all.

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  7. The views of the ocean are breathtaking! And what unusual rock formations. Would love to see the blow holes too! I'm off to find this on the world map. What an adventure it would be to travel there...for someone like me! Hugs!

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  8. Wonderful views, lovely photos!

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  9. I enjoyed all your photos! Beautiful country for sure.

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  10. Beautiful pictures, sounds like the perfect place to grow up.

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  11. Thank you so much! Your area is new for me

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  12. Oh my! Such a beautiful and ancient place! How wonderful to have memories of growing up here. Love the photos. x Karen

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  13. Such an interesting place! so much beauty to explore...thank you for sharing your part of the world with us!

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