Westland and Hokitika

The bottom third or so of the West Coast is known as Westland, a mix of farmland and rainforest backed by the Southern Alps, which pop straight up in neck-cricking fashion. This region is famous for its glaciers.

Hokitika is a small town with a population of 3000. It is popular with history buffs, and the setting for numerous new Zealand novels. Hokitika's riches come in many forms. Founded on gold, today the town is a stronghold of indigenous pounamu which jostles for attention amid many other arts and crafts, drawing hoards of visitors to the town's  wide open streets. We have enjoyed this small community very much. There is lots to do and see in this area.

                         Many people gather at Sunset Point in Hokitika to watch the sunset.

In Saskatchewan the sunset may be hazy from dust or smoke. In Hokitika, the sunset is hazy with the sea spray from the wild Tasman Sea.