That’s our new word for New Zealand.  Beautiful combined with Glorious!  So much fun.

We’re presently on the West Coast down from Nelson just north of a town called Punakaiki.  It’s so small you can drive past it in about 10 seconds.  We’re staying at a backpacker’s lodge called Te Nikau.  It’s a special place, but our “cabin” goes beyond special.  We’re in a tent-like cabin with a glass ceiling that lets us see the stars at night.  Last night we could see the Southern Cross and were awakened by the moon coming overhead around 1AM.  Glorious!

Our "cabin".

Inside the cabin. Just enough room to sit up in bed. Candles are on the wall.

Did I say there is no electricity anywhere near our cabin?  We have candles and that’s it.  Makes going to the bathroom (about 100 meters away down the trail an adventure (just ask Ann).

Try this at night. No lights. Just a headlamp.

This being right on the coast, the beach is just a ten minute walk down the trail.

Not a bad view...

Today we went for a tour of Hokitika Gorge.  Very beautiful.

One of the rivers that dump into the Hokitika Gorge

Suspension bridge over the gorge. The turquoise water is from glacial melt-silt coming down river.

Ann on the bridge chatting up a couple of Swiss guys...

Tomorrow more touring and then Saturday we’re going to spend the day Knife making!  Yup, there’s a guy here who does an all day class and at the end of the day you end up with a custom made Kiwi knife.  Great moment and we thought it would be fun.  We have our “tent” for two nights, but needed one more.  No worries (as they say here), the owner is giving us here home as she’s going to be gone on Friday night.  Just. Wow.