04.04. Natural forces on the West Coast

Mostly in the rain, we crossed the Haast Pass towards the West Coast. Behind every corner, massive, very high waterfalls shot out of the steep slopes. Very impressive. On the West Coast, nature still appears as it must have once been, with lush rainforests and no meadows with sheep. Rain is also said to be a permanent condition here (4m per year, compared to Hamburg's 0.6m).

The coastline and the ocean are very rough. Thick tree trunks lie everywhere on the beaches, which have been washed into the rivers from landslides in the mountains and are now being washed back by the sea. One can only guess at the natural forces that are at work here.

We are staying at the 'Mahitahi Lodge' in Bruce Bay, a place with a population of 6. Our host was so kind and showed us the surroundings and the beach in the afternoon.