New Zealand III: The El Camino is Alive and Well and Living in New Zealand

I've noticed one odd thing about New Zealand (and actually Australia for that matter), they have a penchant for cars that have truck beds (i.e. like the El Camino pictured below). A car that failed miserably in the US during the 70's now prospers here down under. Go figure.

So yesterday was spent at Hamner Springs. It's a sulfur hot springs in the middle north of the south island (whoa too many directions). It was OK, but kinda turned out to be like a hot tub amusement park. I expected natural springs in like natural rock pools or something, but it was just like a waterpark with large hot tubs everywhere filled with water from the naturals hot springs (I think) and little kids everywhere....and they would not stop screaming. There were a couple pools that were filled with only the natural sulfur spring water (others I think were treated (I hope)). I got in for about two minutes before being overwhelmed by the smell of H2S; it was like I was in a pool of deviled eggs and I was the paprika.  

I'm currently sitting in a bar in the town of Hokitika on the west coast. Unfortunately it been overcast and rainy, but this is just a mid-point stop anyway. One bright note is that this place has the cheapest beers so far of the trip, so naturally I have a small pitcher sitting in front of me (of Speights, my new go-to brew). Yesterday, the water was not drinking-safe from the faucet, so I had to drink Speights to survive; now I owe it my business. 

Tomorrow should consist of an epic hike along Franz Josef glacier. Incredible pictures to follow (hopefully).