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A beautiful morning to set off from Collingwood, back to Motueka for the night. It really is a different journey going back on the same road. Everything seems to change.
A third of the way up the Takaka Hill we pull off the road and drive about 3.5km down till we reach the Te Waikoropupu (affectionately known as Pupu Springs) walk.
They discharge 14,000 ltr of water a second. There are eight vents in the main pool where the water is the clearest, freshest water in the world. The only other place with greater clarity is under the Ross ice shelf in Antarctica. The springs are the largest in NZ and ranked 90th out of 100 largest in the world. If conditions are ideal, you might be able to take a photo which shows the sand dancing where the water is pushed up through the sandy floor of the springs.
Although it was a glorious morning, the sun reflected so much on the water, it was impossible to photographic with any clarity.
Underwater clarity tests have shown the water from the springs to have underwater visibility of 63 metres!Whilst all contact with the water is forbidden (the springs are Wahi Tapu sacred treasure to the local maori) the walk around the board board (about 40 minutes if you take your time) is exceptional with Silver Fern in huge abundance.
Driving on we find the turnoff to Anatokoi Salmon Farm & Fishing Lake. Here, the owners farm Chinook salmon which you can catch in their pretty lake and have the spoils cooked to your likin,smoked or sashimied. We just had to try this and within half an hour Bill,s fishing prowess endured with 2 salmon to his name. We had one smoked and the other sashimied. It was fun but we were really disappointed with the taste. Pretty tasteless and bland as sashimi, and I'm convinced the 'smoke' was painted on. Nonetheless,fun!
At the bottom of the Takaka Hill, on the Nelson side, we took a turn up Riwaka Valley Road to the source of the river – the Riwaka Resurgence. The bush walk took us up to a hillside where the water came out of a cave. The water was crystal clear and very cold – what an awesome, magical and freakin' freezing place. I swear the temperature dropped to about 1 degree.
- comments
Sharon Starling Beautiful reflection shot at Pupu Springs.
Col & Sonia Bella :-)
Col & Sonia Great photography!
Col & Sonia No wonder you were successful in your fisssshhhnggggg
Sharon Starling Must say I likin' the lichen too ;) Looks so beautifully soft and delicate draped on the branches.
Sharon Starling Loving the view with the beautiful autumn colours on the side