24.12.2017: Christmas at the Pancake Rocks

Today, we are taking an unplanned day trip to the famous Pancake Rocks, which are on the to-do list of every traveler in New Zealand. They were also on my list four years ago, and today Eric is going to see them. The Pancake Rocks are rock formations that look like stacked pancakes, which is how they got their name. The most impressive sight and sound is during high tide, when the surf water shoots into caves and through narrow holes or crashes against the rocks. A simple round-trip path takes the visitor to the best viewpoints for 20 minutes. If you're lucky, you might even see a rainbow for one or two seconds when the water shoots up through the blowholes.

Because Eric is crazy about caves, I am taking a step ahead in my travel planning and visiting the Punakaiki Cavern with him afterwards. The entrance is elongated, but we don't get very far. Soon, the rocky cave floor gives way to a muddy field and the passage narrows, so if we decide to continue, we will definitely get our clothes dirty. But this point is far enough for us, so we turn back to the car.

On the way back, we stop at Countdown in Greymouth to buy the ingredients for our Christmas dinner. We're having lamb chops with beans and mashed sweet potatoes. Delicious! Not typically Christmassy, but definitely something special. For dessert, we got chocolate-covered puff pastry rolls, strawberries, and pineapple. A feast!

When it gets dark, Eric and I go to the glowworm cave. Unfortunately, many other people had the same idea, so there's no serene atmosphere in the crowd. But the trip is still beautiful. There are sooo many glowworms...

Afterwards, we set out to find the most festively decorated property in all of Hokitika, which we drove by yesterday. The people who live there truly celebrate their brightly lit front yard. Many cars and pedestrians stop and chat with the residents. But there are also colorful light garlands and a Santa in other places, and the town itself is nicely dressed up. Well then, Merry Christmas!