Nelson > Greymouth

From the passenger seat - After leaving Nelson, the magic bus took us through the Hope Saddle and across the picturesque Buller Gorge to the west coast, one of the more remote, rugged and most sparsely populated areas of the country. First stop was Cape Foulwind, named so by Captain Cook after his ship was blown off course. The islands of New Zealand are smack in the middle of 40 degrees which causes some pretty serious wind gusts. Sailors and explorers have always avoided the 'roaring forties' and the prevailing east-to-west winds that range from gentle breezes to gale force, year round. After two more stops in coastal national park we arrived at our overnight stop in Greymouth.