Tag 45,46 Takaka

To avoid the bad weather at Abel Tasman, we spent 2 days at Golden Bay, a little (and especially a steep pass) further inland.

We visited the PupuSprings - a sacred place for the Maori. One couldn't even touch the water. For the Maori, water is the source of life. A little further, we visited an old hydroelectric power plant from the gold mining times as a contrast program. On the way, we encountered the photogenic 'South Island Robin' (a very friendly and beautiful songbird that posed for Basti).

Next day, we explored the magical place 'the Grove' - Indiana Jones would have felt at home amidst the limestone rocks in the middle of the jungle. Afterwards, we went to Wainui Fall (waterfall) and ended the day with a muddy and slippery ascent to Rawhiti Cave. A huge stalactite cave with phytokarst (stalactites made of limestone and microorganisms). Incredibly impressive!