As the other days I wake up around 6.30 when it’s starting to get light. I’m very happy with the day rhytm I’m in now. Waking up when it gets light and getting ready to go to bed when it gets dark. It gives me the feeling that I get most out of the days. The cafe by the camping is still closed so early in the morning, so I decide to start driving and get a cup of coffee somewhere else.

I drive to Westport, a small harbor town and have a walk at the beach. Then I drive a little further to Cape Foulwind where I take a hike next to the ocean. The weather is gray again and I’m not quite sure what I think of that. On one hand it would be better for pictures and hiking if it was bright weather and on the other hands does this gray weather also suit the New Zealand nature. The ocean is pretty wild and the waves are high, I can imagine why surfers come to this area. Though with this weather, no one is out there. After quite a walk I get back to the car and drive further to Greymouth. I can imagine why they call it gray as there are many clouds here again. Fortunately there is also a coffee place and I take some time to write my blog. Also here is where I can make the choice between following the coast or going inland again via Arthur’s pass. I’m not sure yet and take a look at the list of places I want to visit and write them all down on a map I brought with me.

After about half an hour of searching on Google Maps and writing down all the places I’m left with a map full of locations to visit. The other day I was wondering if I hadn’t traveled too fast so far, but now I can see my timing is good. There is so much left to see and I’m glad that I’m already at the South Island. I hope the weather will get better in the coming days, because I’m heading to some really beautiful places.

I’m glad I chose to go inland through Arthur’s pass. It’s a beautiful ride through the mountains. The nice thing is that you drive really close to the mountains so you can see them very good, they’re right next to you. Many of them are covered with snow. At Arthur’s pass village I stop and take a hike to a big waterfall. I expect it to be cold up here in the mountains, so I cloth myself in some layers: a shirt, a vest and a jacket. But already after ten minutes hiking I find out that it’s way too warm and in the end I’m only keeping the shirt on. I’m blown away by the quality of Marino wool, that just one shirt can keep you so warm. The waterfall is pretty and it’s a nice walk there.

When I’m back at the car I drive to a camping place not far from Arthur’s pass. It’s a field surrounded by mountains, very beautiful. I see another car from the same rental company, another Spaceship as they are called. When I walk to the cooking area, there are two girls from Canada having dinner and drinking beers. I join them and make some food for myself. We talk all night and watch a movie on my iPad and then head to our spaceships. That’s the nice thing of traveling alone, it’s much easier to meet new people. Tomorrow I’ll continue my journey through the mountains.