Apr 19th: Westport to Nelson - Seals and Carrot Cake

Day 16 (Day 12 in New Zealand)

After leaving Westport we headed 15 mins back along the coast. First stop was to see a lighthouse at Cape Foulwind. A beautiful coastline. 


Then another 5 or 10 mins along the coast to Tauranga Bay where there is a seal colony. We thought we’d be lucky to see a seal or two popping their heads out of the sea. What we actually got was about 50+ seals and their pups.

Some were fast asleep, others were dozing but most of the pups were playing like children, clambering over the rocks and diving in an out of rock pools. We stayed about an hour taking lots of photos and videos of the seals and of the waves crashing in from the Tasman Sea. 

Before we left we went on to the beach of grey sand just a few yards around the corner from the seals. Another very beautiful place.


Eventually we set off on the 150 mile trip across mountains and flatlands to Nelson. We stopped for lunch high up in the Buller Valley at Berlins Bar. We have had some good coffee in New Zealand but this was the best. And a great toasted sandwich!

The next 80 or 90 miles were spectacular with ever changing scenery. We stopped at Lyell Viewpoint to take a look. Other than amazing view and a campsite there was nothing there. Expect a board showing a photo of the site in 1896 when it had SIX hotels, post office, prison, etc as it was the main wool trading route.


It also had a helicopter landing pad (now, not then. Obviously), presumably for mountain and accident rescue. 

Moving on we drove on long straights with no other cars and hairpin bends with gigantic trucks coming the other way!

Stopped for a cup of tea (and the best carrot cake made by the owner) at this place which has been around for a long time. Hard to see how it makes money out in the sticks but there were a lot of tables inside and out and plenty of staff.

Then (1890s)…

… and now (carrot cake recommended!)

After arriving in Nelson, we settled in then walked 20 yards to the pub next door, The Smugglers, for some delicious grub and a beer. 

The final activity of the day was a video call to Chris on his birthday with Arlo & Rosalyn also in top form. Arlo (4) was totally puzzled when I showed him the moon in the night sky!

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