The Tasman coast road on South Island is reminiscent of California’s Big Sur, but with less traffic. We shared the tarmac mainly with a dither of rental campervans which were probably a bit discombobulated by two dozen rally cars growling past them in succession on any scrap of straight. This was the second longest day of the rally, at 471 kilometers, so we couldn’t hang about. The gravel regularities were challenging but excellent driver-fodder, the last one through a park-like setting along the water’s edge, so unusually level even though twisty. The lunch stop was at Pancake Rocks, and we also managed to fit in a short and sweet zip wire ‘flight’ (well we are NZ). Now at the evening stop in Hokitika, centre of the 1864 gold rush - more California parallels. Also famous for jade jewellery; but as this blog deadline is deemed due, very sadly readers will have to forgo an in-depth jade retail market trading analysis report from Penny and Rita. Although back copies of ‘Murano 1999: The Ring Cycle’ are still in print.
No comments:
Post a Comment