Hokitika

On the return trip to Westport we stopped in the resort town of Hokitika. It's a coast town, like Westport, but Hokitika has really been able to draw in tourists and grow.

Main Street Hokitika

Ruben just had to stop and try out the public art.

Mid-afternoon on a Sunday and there were quite a few people admiring the surf. It's too rough to swim,
but people were sunbathing on the beach, picnicking, and taking pictures.

As a wee treat, we gifted ourselves with a scenic flight over glacier country. The flight departed from Hokitika Airport on a clear, perfect day.

The Cessna

Ruben was concerned that this plane was too little!

Watching carefully that when the two people sharing our tour were seated
there would be room for both of us, as well as the pilot.

Ready for takeoff.

All systems go.

Leaving Hokitika....

...and entering glacier country.

We were impressed by the vastness of this wilderness. No roads lead into this
Department of Conservation-owned land, so the only way to see it is by air or to hike in.

Wilkinson Glacier

This small plane was able to dive in and around the peaks for an unforgettable glacier experience.

I took more pictures than posted here, but I figured this post was long enough!

About to touch down at Hokitika Airport.