Roaring Billy's Waterfall was a short hike from the car. It was a beautiful hike along heavy and lush forest. It then opened up to a rocky beach with a view of a roaring waterfall coming down the mountain. The water was SUPER blue, which we knew by then, meant SUPER COLD!!
Check out the roots on this tree. The trees in all these forests, and on this whole South Island, are so large, old, and twisty. Amazing root systems above ground. Lush and green!!
Here is a picture of Kayla standing by a silver fern. It is a small tree like plant that is all over NZ, especially in the region we were visiting. The Silver Fern is a special symbol in NZ and is well know all over the world.
Here are some details about this plant:
Cyathea dealbata, also known as the silver tree-fern[1] or silver fern, or as ponga /ˈpɒŋə/ or punga /ˈpʌŋə/ (from Māori kaponga or ponga), is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand.[2] It is a symbol commonly associated with the country both overseas and by New Zealanders themselves
This fern is known to grow to heights of 10 m or more (though it occasionally takes a rare creeping form). The crown is dense, and the fronds tend to be about 4 m long and have a silver-white colouration on the undersides. This distinctive silver colouration has made them useful for laying along tracks for night walking. The scales are a dark brown and are often twisted and glossy.
Across the lard rocky "beach" was the beautiful river and a waterfall coming down.
BLUE WATER!!
We met a nice couple on the rocky beach from Australia that took our picture.
Kayla and Savannah wanted to have a contest to see who could stand it the longest to have their feet in the water. The boys in the upper right hand of the picture were getting in as well. One is just in his undies. I didn't stick around long enough to see who won. It was on this beach that we were introduced to another New Zealand commoner.... the sand fly. Wow!! Ouch!! Such a tiny little sucker but pack a big punch. These bugs don't hang out in just the sand. They are really everywhere. They bit and it itches like crazy!! And for me they itch for days and I get all red and puffy where I get bit. I have an allergic reaction to most biting bugs but I hate these worse than fire ants or chiggers because I can usually avoid both of those, but sand flies are just anywhere and you are bit lots of times before you even know they are there.
Alyssa and Ava with their feet in. The water is so clear you can hardly tell they are standing in the water.
Alyssa by the Silver Fern
Savannah in a hole in the tree. BIG HOLE!!
After our hike we were on the way again, but we had to stop and get some pic by this awesome raging river!!
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