We headed out of Hector with a real sad feeling, we were reminded of a saying ‘Do not cry because it’s over, rejoice because you have achieved it’ which we are beginning to understand. The drive over to Hanmer Springs was via the Lewis Pass, a lovely road through the mountains; lined with trees and rivers at every turn. Looking at some of the lengths the Kiwis will go too to build something, shows an attitude to task here in New Zealand, that everything can be done some how. If you build a road and there’s a mountain in the way, cut a pathway and pin it back; if you have a rock fall don’t mess around shift the rubble and get on with it. We arrived at Hanmer Springs to yet another good hostel, relaxed and only a short walk to the springs; so yet again we added another night to our stay. Em’ and I went to the springs for a morning of relaxation in the nature spring waters that are mixed with pure spring water to dilute the mixture and allow you to sit around in them. Various pools range from 35 – 38 deg’s temp’ for the mixed pools, up to 40 – 41 deg’s temp’ for the Sulphur pools. The Sulphur pools, they smelt of rotten eggs; disgusting to smell but lovely to relax in. Again it’s time to move on, this time to Kaikoura; we’ve been told many times ‘You’ll get surf there, mate’
