Saturday, July 17, 2010

AOTNZ tour Okarito

Arrived at Okarito after a brief detour to scout Franz Josef Glacier. Incredibly
warm welcome from a community that numbers about 35 when everyone's home. Used
to be the third largest port on the West Coast during the gold rush of 1866 with
a population of about 2500. Pot luck dinner with the entire population then a
great gig in Donovan's store which has been there since late 1800s and used to
be a brothel. Holly and Carl put us up at the Beach Houise, ironically the most
luxurious digs we have had. Okarito has a huge shallow lagoon full of trout,
salmon & flounder which can't get out at the moment as the bar has silted up.
They open it up with a digger every now and then. Lee gave us flounder for
breakfast and then off to Raewyn's for coffee and whitebait patties. Set off at
11.00am for Cromwell. Still glorious weather all down the Coast road. Lousy
coffee in Haast. Should get to Crommers about 5.00 to set up at Banockburn Hall.

Andrew

No comments:

Post a Comment