Monro Beach

We went to the i-Site this morning before leaving Franz Josef, to find out whether the Haast road was open (if it wasn't we would have a 1000km alternative route to deal with!) Thankfully it was, so we set off south.

Stopped before lunch to walk from Moeraki to Monro Beach in search of penguins (I managed to see one there 7 years ago, so was hoping to repeat the experience). The tide was a long way in so we didn't see any, but it was so beautiful anyway, with the wild sea crashing on the rocks. It was raining and hailing on us both ways through the forest, but the sun came out while we were on the beach.

Drove on to the Haast Pass and had to wait there briefly while several 'rock spotters' assessed the somewhat dodgy-looking rock above, then rather urgently waved us through a very debris-strewn section of road. Gotta love the Kiwis and their pioneering spirit!

Really beautiful views through the pass, driving through the odd sleet and snow shower (it's meant to be Summer!) Arrived in Wanaka late afternoon, checked into our hostel, Matterhorn South, then headed out for a delicious curry a bit later at The Spice Room (prawn and scallop Goan curry for me, venison curry for Tim).