New Zealand has made me fall in love with walking (go figure) Each one has been interesting and unique and I will forever love this country for that.
The West Coast of the South Island is an area rich with green stone, Jade being the most sought after. Maori tribes would come to this area from far and wide in search of this beautiful gem stone. It would be used for weapons, jewellery and many other decorative purposes.
We loved this walk at Lake Marian, it felt like a treasure hunt. The stone on this path was exactly the same colour and texture as the slate on our kitchen floor. Luke was clearly homesick.
Apparently if Maori gift Jade it is seen as disrespectful to take it off so you are obliged to wear it until it breaks.
On our way back towards the North, we stopped off at Arrowtown which was a beautifully quaint and rustic time capsule. It’s a place where many Chinese settlers came during the gold rush and the settlement houses still exist for public perusal.
The perfect spot for a pit stop.
Onwards and upwards for us …
