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Trip around the world in 63 days, 2003
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From Kaikoura we cross the South Island to the west. We pass nice valleys and impressive views. Here is the Waiau river in a wide riverbed. The mountains become higher and we pass the Lewis pass at 907 meters. The western side of the mountains becomes green with mountain tops high over the tree line.
What quickly passes the time. Now we have carefully to plan the rest of the trip to see the highlights. During our morning run in Reefton we see in the village a coal mine, and the manager shows us around. The coal is transported in a pipe, with water pressure. The production is 120.000 tons per year with a few employees and the production is shipped right the way, so no heaps of coal and waste. We travel to Greymouth, one of the bigger towns on the west coast. We are in a coal and gold area. From Greymouth we travel to Hokitika, where just that day is the famous Wild Food festival. It looks like few food and lots of booze. We arrive in the second half of the afternoon and the average guest has already a low blood level in his alcohol, so it’s time to leave quickly again.