This was a day I wasn’t sure how much we would be able to do.

The plan was to head over Takaka Hill and do our adventures there. At the top of the list was to hike to Rawhiti Caves. The drizzle from the day before turned into full rain, and it was heavy at times going over the hill. The twists and turns were do-able, but our home is located in the mountains so we’re used to windy roads.

Getting to the trailhead for Rawhiti required us to drive through several paddocks into the middle of nowhere. I jumped out of the campervan 3 times to open and shut paddock gates. When we got to the trailhead, the rain had settled to a drizzle.

A sign said to follow the streambed up where the track had washed out. So we crossed the dry creekbed and found the track on the other side. We were a good 400 meters up the far side when we heard water rushing and peered through the trees. It was gushing over the rocks!

Fred suggested we go back the way we came. Then his voice took a bit more of urgency when he said to go FAST! “As fast as you can!” I no longer took caution avoiding muddy bits and ran right through them.

We got across the dry creekbed and waited, wondering if that water went somewhere else. But then it came – in torrents. What was dry was now a surging river. YIKES! Had we arrived sooner and climbed closer to the caves, we wouldn’t have been warned. It may have also been a blessing in disguise because our headlights had been left on (with many a curious cow about). We would have been stuck on the far bank for many hours and returned to a campervan that wouldn’t start. So, I think our timing was good in the big picture.  (Link to Video)

Not wanting our adventure over the infamous Takaka Hill go to waste, we went to The Grove, which was way cool with massive boulders and trees.

We got our cave “fix” at Ngarua Caves at the top of the hill. Rather commercial and touristy (I hate to be told to wait in the giftshop), but interesting. When climbing (literally) out of the cave, it was bright and sunny. New Zealand weather can sure change quickly.

We made a quick stop to wine taste at Riwaka Estate. It was basically a stall behind someone’s house and a very small operation.

We drove along Buller Gorge and geocached along the way. At each site for a geocache, there were many flying bugs of all sizes. We camped at Owens River Reserve. If I could change anything on this trip, it would be to avoid camping anywhere on Buller River. The sandflies held us hostage in our campervan. We dared not venture out to shower until nightfall. And then I discovered that the lights did not work in the shower/toilets and that there was no hot water, as advertised. At least we had power, my dear Fred braved the beasties prior to dinner. They ate well.

The Adventure Continues>>>