Bridges and Roads

The roads in NZ are crazy and the bridges are the craziest part. Many of them are one way. There is no system to the one-way-ness. On one bridge you'll have way and on the next the oncoming car will have right of way. You just have to look out for the tiny sign with a red and white arrow as you approach. If you have the red arrow you wait if you have the white arrow you go. On the very long bridges they have stopping bays so you can drive part way then pull into the bay, let the oncoming car go past and then drive on.
We saw lots more of the roads than we intended because we made the classic mistake of taking the scenic route; "it will only add an extra hour or two". When we found ourselves high in the mountains, in an avalanche prone area, on a narrow slippery road, at night in the middle of a torrential downpour we questioned the wisdom of that choice.


















Bridge 8153 over Fish river - our right of way.























































Did I mention that lots of the bridges were really narrow?























This bridge is called The Gates of Haast. It's a shame that a photo can't convey just how noisy and powerful the waterfalls here are.



















B's favourite sign. Unfortunately it did not indicate a hazard from pert breasts by the road :(