North to South

Leaving our camp site at Purakaunui Bay, we drive over to the Purakaunui Falls for a short morning hike. We meet a German couple emerging from the trail, shaking thier heads. "Nice walk, but not much of a falls," they say.

Yet, we find a very nice waterfall. Did the couple make it all the way down to see what we're seeing?



We wind our way through the Catlins and the south coast scenic road to Niagara. There is even a Niagara Falls, but we don't stop in, figuring they can't be much compared to their Canadian namesake. We do stop at the Niagara Cafe for coffee and a cheese toastie. Our server, Jono, teaches us about Maori vowels and how to pronounce them. I manage to walk in on a middle aged lady in the bathroom, pulling up her black knickers — she didn't lock the door. Not my fault, but like the good Canadian I am, I apologize profusely. By the time I emerge from the second bathroom, she, her husband and her embarrassment are long gone.

Slope Point is the southern most point of New Zealand and we find our way there, hike the short walk to the marker and feel a sense of satisfaction that we have covered NZ from top to bottom.








I stand at the cliff edge and look out at the waves rolling in from the Pacific that look about 10 feet high. No sign of Antarctica, not that I can see.