A few people Hannah and I know have been on the kiwi experience bus before; there's one night in particular that always came up in conversation-The Pu Party!
Leaving Westport bright and early we headed towards lake Mahinapua. We would be staying at The Lake Mahinapua hotel, owned and run by an 84 year man! Les is definatly a character, a well known person to New Zealand. He once gathered national press to his hotel, stating that he had found the last of the 'extinct' Moa bird (New Zealand's largest bird). He had hidden the 'creature' in his garden shed, only to reveal a rusty old lawn mower to the world!

The Pu party ran daily and is always fancy dress- our theme was 'the oscars and film'. The bus stops in nearby town Greymouth so everyone can get there coustume ready! I'm sure the town of Greymouth exsists purely to accommodate the daily hoard of backpackers, scrambling over eachother to grab the last wig, novelty glasses or stuffed teddy bear (more on the bear to follow).

Once we got to the hotel we went swimming in a near by lake, the lake was surprisingly warm and the colour of water ressembled that of tea (without milk and two sugars). We were then treated to a steak dinner cooked by Les; Hannah pointed out Les gave the guys much bigger steaks than the girls- unfortunatly I couldn't comment as its rude to talk with your mouth full...

After dinner we all got ready into our costumes. Hannah went as Slum Dog Milllionaire and I was Four Weddings and a Funeral. My costume consisted of a blazer with four wedding ties and a black 'funeral' tie (see pic) Our dutch friend Tuen had bought a large stuffed bear in the Salvation Army- although it was clear he would be fashioning it into his costume (the stanley knife gave it away), he told everyone it was a present for his girlfriend. Tuen 'turning' up at the party with a bear head over his own, made my night. Not only did he look ridiculous, he honestly thought he had fooled us all!

The party was great fun; We really made some great friends that night. It definatly left me wanting 'moa'...

I'll see myself out after that clanger...

Regards

Oliver James Kenneth Smith