9/1/2018: Nelson Lakes National Park - I'm coming!

I would have liked to stay in Karamea for another day, but I'd rather have more time in the end and decide to continue my journey with a heavy heart. In Westport, I stop at the hostel because I left a bag of groceries that I had bought just a day before. Fortunately, everything is still there.

Westport is already nearly 20 km behind me when I feel forced to turn back. Within 500 m, the number of kilometers I can still drive decreases by 1-2 km, even though the road is flat. Something is definitely wrong. In Westport, I visit the Caltex gas station and ask one of the employees for help because the operation of their tire pressure gauge is different from the usual ones. And indeed, the left front tire has too little air. It's a miracle that I haven't had a flat tire yet. But now, onwards.

Located 80 km away and right on the highway is New Zealand's longest swing bridge, which I'd love to catch a glimpse of. Unfortunately, the entrance fee is 10 dollars, and the area is protected by a fence to keep out non-paying visitors. Man, that's mean, but 10 NZD is not worth it to me for crossing the bridge, especially since there are thousands of bridges like this in New Zealand.

I'm halfway back in the car when a man asks me if I visited the bridge. I decline, pointing out that the area is fenced off, but he shows me a footpath that leads directly from the parking lot into the area - completely legal. It's a good thing I saved the money, because I don't find the bridge particularly impressive. Is this really New Zealand's longest bridge? I've seen more impressive ones.

By the way, you can cross the bridge for free in the evening/night. What a rip-off!

The highway eventually passes through the town of Berlins. Of course, someone has covered up the 's' at the entrance of the town. If I were really hungry, I would have stopped at 'Berlins Café,' but since I'm not, I continue driving.

A few kilometers further, there is a parking lot from where you can walk to the Maruia Falls in 5 minutes. They looked more impressive in the photos, which is certainly due to the lack of rain for some time. You wouldn't want to linger here without Deet, and since I've been sitting in the car all day, I've decided not to apply any. The fruit fly-sized sandflies devour me within seconds, and there are also very persistent wasps on the shore. I quickly take a few photos and get out of there!

In Murchison, I first go to a café for a small lunch snack. After devouring the sandwich, I wander around the town for a bit and find some bargains at the Four Square. Besides chocolate, I treat myself to a packet of gigantic blueberries. Yum!

There are a few stop and go construction sites on the way to my hostel for the next two nights, but I'm not in a hurry anyway.

When I arrive at the hostel's parking lot, a border collie comes barking towards me and positions himself in front of my driver's door, waiting for me to get out. I think to myself that a free-roaming dog at a hostel will probably be friendly, so I open the door confidently. He immediately steps inside with his front legs, licks my hand, and rests his head on my lap. I scratch him for a bit but then have to push him out because it's raining heavily. His look clearly says 'Oh nooo,' but he obeys. Tonight, I only have to share the hostel with a couple, but I have the room to myself and get to sleep on the most comfortable (hard) mattress in the world. Good night everyone!