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Published: December 26th 2009
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After a rather moist experience on the Travers-Sabine track we took our time to dry out in Westport which, as the name suggests, is a small town located on the west coast. On entering the town a big billboard was on show boldly exclaiming that ‘If you want England go to Christchurch but if you want the real New Zealand come to Westport.’ I cannot imagine the New Zealand tourism board are aware of this because Westport was, to use an American term, a complete dive. It was a shabby run down town, where the main high street looks like it hasn’t had any attention in 100 years. Unfortunately the result is not an interesting look into New Zealand’s quirky past, but in fact simply an embarassment. If we had not been in such desperate need of a break following our challenging hike we would not have even bothered staying at all. The saving grace was the hostel, which was very nicely decorated, with a homely fireplace and plenty of wooden beams giving a warm feel. Add to that some very comfortable sofas, a big screen TV and a huge selection of films, it was the perfect place to rest up.
We headed to Karamea after a couple of days to begin our next hike, which was another of the 6 Great Walks called the Heaphy Track. Unfortunately this was a one way track and it was very tricky to try and walk one way and get back to the beginning by car so we made the decision to take it easy for a change. We spent a ½ day hiking to a campsite, then the next day we left our tents and bags to go for a wander further on the track before returning to our tents. It was very relaxed and not a great deal of hiking was done, although we did have a couple of nights on the beach in front of a roaring fire looking out at the ocean and struggling to understand how it was the middle of December. We were lucky enough to have bright sunshine all day for the first and second days as we hiked along the coast through an abundance of palm trees accompanied by the sound of the waves crashing on to the beach. It was a very beautiful part of the track, littered with the exciting swinging bridges that
seem to be dotted all over the hiking trails here in New Zealand. On our last day we were unfortunately awoken by a huge amount of rain which stayed with us until we were suitably soaked through to our skin and just coming off the trail back to the car park.
We were intending to do another hike on the way down to Greymouth but after the soaking our gear took on the last day, coupled with the fact we had now walked a total of 210km in 2 weeks we decided against it. On the way down we made a quick stop off at Punakaiki where we could see the popular tourist attraction that is ’The Pancake Rocks’. I feel I cannot complain too much and claim to be too disappointed, as although they weren’t by any means that fascinating we had not had to make any detours to see them. I feel sorry however for those poor bastards who in the hostel at Greymouth decided to cycle the 42km EACH WAY to go and see them. I fear that on seeing this ’incredible sight’ their morale may have hit rock bottom (excuse the pun).
On reaching
Greymouth we were a little anxious about seeing our hostel as we would be spending 7 nights there to have some well needed and indeed, if I do say so myself, some well earned rest and relaxation. I cannot stress enough how much we landed on our feet at this hostel, costing just $20 a night this was easily the best hostel I have ever stayed at. Located just outside of the main town on a river they offer free kayak, bike and golf club rental, along with providing a very cosy lounge, film room, and an exceptionally well equipped kitchen. The hostel staff are more than happy to help with any request, and do a fantastic job of keeping the hostel both clean and respectable. To add to the wonders of this hostel on Christmas day I enjoyed some complimentary beers, wine, crackers, humus, ham, new potatoes, salad, and of course some Christmas cake. This is a prime example of how ‘Global Village’ goes the extra mile to give the traveller an ultimate experience whilst in Greymouth. Yes, this may seem like an advert, and I only hope that it works that way, because Global Village is the best
hostel I have ever stayed in and also the cheapest I have come across whilst in New Zealand. So if you are ever in Greymouth check this hostel out and I guarantee you will not regret it.
This past week has been an absolutely perfect Christmas, I have spent it, kayaking, golfing, reading, cycling and of course enjoying one or two beers, all under clear blue skies whilst bathed in sunshine. I feel completely and utterly relaxed, that may, at this exact moment, be because I am sat drinking my 9th beer of the day, but I would say that on a whole it is due to the fantastic weather and brilliant atmosphere that this hostel and Greymouth itself provides.
I would like to finish by saying Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope that you have all had as much of a fantastic Christmas as I have. I have missed everyone a lot over this last couple of days, being my first Christmas away from home it has been strange. I just feel lucky that I managed to spend it with such good people and particularly with the sun shining overhead (apparently this hasn’t happened for 6
years in Greymouth).
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Dad
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Nice Blog
Jon, Great to skype on my xmas day and your boxing day. It also felt a bit pecular not to see you over this period but we experienced the next best thing. Any way giving my Celica a run tomorrow so will see how 4 wheel drive copes with Suffolk lanes!!!!.