South to the Glaciers

This bridge was pretty amazing.  We crossed a huge, swollen river on a one-lane bridge that is also shared with the train.  You have to make extra sure that no one is coming the other way when you drive over it.  I’d hate to meet a train on here.

 

Crossing the Mountains to Greymouth

 

After looking at some sweet seals, we headed over the mountains to the west side of the South Island.  High ranges of snow-covered peaks stood between us and our objective.

 

These are young mountains.  Just look at all that rock being pumped down the rivers.

 

Lots of one-lane rickety bridges in this part of the world.

 

 

 

A mighty river.

 

 

 

We encountered inclement weather going over the pass.

 

 

 

 

On the other side of the mountains  in Greymouth, we found some truly epic food.  It was worth the drive.

 

Fish and Chips in Kaikoura

After pulling into Kaikoura for the night, we found some fish and chips and promptly nomed them.  Yum.

The scenery is just AMAZING in this part of the world.

The next morning we drove out of town just a little ways to see some seals.  Again, amazing scenery.

 

There’s a seal!

Kristen on the rocks.

Do not disturb seals!

There was a snorkeler (center of the picture, look for the snorkel) hunting for something in the rocks.

A seal came over to hang out with our campervan.

Oh man mountains and seals!

Not too bad.