Exploring the bottom of the North Island

On Sunday my friend and I went to explore the bottom of the North Island. First we planned on driving to Featherston but when we got there decided to extend our trip down all the way to Cape Palliser, as shown on the map above. I have never been to that part of the North Island before and it was a very enjoyable trip, and a new experience for me.
The drive to Cape Palliser was along the coastline. The sea was beautiful, but it was amazing how yellow all the hills and plains were. Because of the mountain barriers there is very little rain in those parts of the island ; hence very few greenery.

The yellow/brown hills, What blue sky!

I love the colour of the sea in these parts

The windy road

Oh what colours!

Driving along the seaside

A little town, just before Cape Palliser. So isolated! Imagine living there! Would be a nice place to stay if you wanted to just get away and be alone for a while.

My first attempt at a pamarama mode on my camera... never used it before; hence the wonkyness! Oops! This is supposed to be the little villiage.

Attempt number 2 at panarama was a whole lot better...

Driving past the villiage was a rocky shore with residents; a seal colony!

Just some shots of the surroundings,,,

The seals! So friendly, I have never been so close to a seal before; it was almost within hand reach! (but they were not quite fond of geeting too close!)

So cute!!!

The rocky cliffs in the sea. I loved watching the waves crashing onto them...

Was hard to gt a shot at just the right time...

Driving even further was a lkightghouse!

I love lighthouses! I think theu are so fascinating and mysterious!! ( I also like castles and trapdoors and attics and moving walls...)

There were steps that went all the way up to the lighthouse! Thre were over 100 steps in total!

Ready to go up to the lighthouse!

Made it! The best thing to do while climbing up is not to look down!

Unfortunately the lighthouse itself was locked so couldn't go inside :(

But the view from up the top was spectacular! I love the way the 'S' shape is made with the ocean, winding road and hillside...

Driving even further past the lighthouse was a river and some mountains. There were several trails going up the mountain to the pinnacles so after lunch we took one of them. I learnt that hiking in sandles is not too good! But the greenry and views were great!

After an hours hike; the pinnacles!

One of the views from the top of the trail.

By the time we got back from the hike it was almost sundown. On the way home several attepts were made at getting a meal at a pub but it was too late so in the end settled for a tomato/ham bun and ginger beer.

The sunset was amazing. I was sad that the day was over. That day I decided that I want to travel around NZ more and see everything. I really want to explore the South island since I have never been there appart from in Otago. I will start saving up now and will hopefully go sometime in the middlke of the year- hopefully when its snowing! :):):)