Waiukoropupu Springs, Kaiteriteri Beach

12-3-2008
Motueka, Waiukoropupu Springs, Kaiteriteri Beach:

Yesterday we did a bunch of driving in the area. We drove over a pass into what was supposed to be a cool hippie town, but it wasn't that cool and the art wasn't very good. The landscape continues to be impressive. We stopped at some springs where the water was gushing in huge quantities. The water quality is reported to be the best on earth its only rival is a spring in the ant artic somewhere.
I wanted to get in the water on a beach the weather was perfect. After checking a wind swept beach full of wood and debris that was said to be good we headed back for another-Kaiteriteri. The water and condition were great. I put on my wet suit and went for a long swim along the outlet to the bay. I kept an eye on the mooring lines of the boats in the bay making sure that I wasn't swimming into a strong ebb tide. You can tell by watching how the boats swing off their mooring lines. I was able to watch the cormorants up close they regarded me as some sort of strange seal.
Afterward I got out and relaxed and laid in the sun for about an hour, it was perfect. I went glacier hiking on Sunday and sunbathing on the beach on Tuesday - California can't match this. If this place were in the US it would be mobbed. We missed out on wine tasting but it isn't as if I haven't been drinking my share of wine. Our room for the last few days has been great - modern new appliances, a plasma TV.... and it is only $71 per night. Today we head east I am not sure where we will wind up. There is an eco-lodge we have heard of maybe we will find our way there.