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New Zealand
> Nelson - Westland > Westland
This area
bounded by the Southern Alps to the east and the
Tasman Sea to the west is only 10 miles wide by some
600 miles long. At one time this region had more
hotels than any other per head of population. The
town of Westport
once had 26 hotels on its main street, now it may
have only 5.
Places to visit
are the museums in most towns for relics of pioneer
life. The pancake rock formations at
Punakaiki. Shanti-town near the town of
Greymouth, where you can pan for gold and see how the
early settlers lived. There are opportunities to walk
and climb in the valleys, mountains and glaciers. Ski
swim, fish, hunt, jet boat on the rivers. Cafe
culture exists here also, adapted to the local
lifestyle.
 The inhabitants in this part of NZ are
seeking independence from New Zealand. A great
many of the natives are on the unemployment benefit
and you can still buy a house for under
$10,000.00
One of the favourite pastimes of the coasters is elbow
bending at one of the many bars. But in
fairness, there are those proponents of culture who
put on performances to quake your tummy muscles.
Then there is the fishing, a favourite being the
whitebait, which is caught in fine mesh nets when
only two inches long and translucent. It is
considered a delicacy. They are of course eaten
in vast numbers. A grown hungry person could
probably eat a thousand or so and they are on the way
to becoming another endangered species.
One species that everyone wishes was endangered or
even extinct is the sandfly which inhabits river beds
and beaches. When you arrive this little critter
is unseen and so you take off a layer of clothing to
enjoy the sun, and then out they come and bite
any exposed flesh. The bites tend to itch a
little and the prepared traveller will have some
citronella or other insect repellent that is bound to
contrast with your favourite perfume.
To get there:
Drive:
From Nelson to Westport in the North, 3 hours
From Christchurch to Westport via Lewis Pass 4 - 5
hours.
From Christchurch to Greymouth (Via
Arthur's Pass) 3 hours.
From Queenstown to Haast, (South) 4 hours
There are national air services to Westport and
Hokitika
Getting
there: Drive from Nelson,
Christchurch via Arthurs Pass
Hokitika has an airport serviced by national
airlines.
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