I think it's quite safe to say that the journey to Greymouth is infinitely more exciting than the destination itself.

Our first stop was Cape Foulwind and an hours walk along to coast to see the scenery and the seals at the other end. It was a nice gentle walk with great hokey-pokey ice cream at the other end!

We then stopped at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks for another photo op and a walk. Saying it like that the journey to Greymouth doesn't sound that interesting - which should give you an idea as to how interesting Greymouth itself is...

When we arrived to Greymouth (about 5pm) the bus driver said 'there are 2 streets in Greymouth. This one. And that one.' We arrived to our hostel - luckily everyone had booked into the same one - and were checked in by Rodney. A man well into his 60's, very confused by the arrival of 6 people to his hostel.

The hostel itself was like stepping back in time. And can only be described as a mixture of the Phoenix Club from Phoenix Nights and a bad B&B in Southend (very much like one Graham and I stayed at many years ago). The people there were also as strange. I think it's safe to say it was basically a shelter for old men who couldn't/wouldn't find work and spent most of the day drinking. The highlight was Rodney's fresh date scones that he bakes at 6 every evening and some of the girls watched/helped him make them.

Myself and another girl decided to take a walk to the supermarket in town, and to get there we had to walk down both of Greymouths 2 roads, and across the train tracks, as this was the only way in!

By 5:10pm every shop in Greymouth was closed - apart from the supermarket. The buildings were all old and had the look of an old sea-side town. Very much like Great Yarmouth if you've ever been there? (Though surely now they should down-grade it to just Yarmouth. It's a bit like calling it Great Romford, or Great Baghdad. Or, even better, take after the Kiwi's and call it Grey Yarmouth - much more fitting!)

There were a few big hotels that may have been quite the tourist destination in their day, but everything was very run down and so quiet. We hardly saw another person or car on the streets.

Anyway, the evening was passed in the lounge, watching a pool competition played by dozens of people who suddenly appeared in the evening and appeared to all be staying/working/on the run in the hostel. At one point we did try to use their 'Spa pool' which they advertised quite prominently. But it turned out to be an empty old blue tub next to the shed outside. True Story.