Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika.

This past weekend I made another excursion to the beautiful South Island for the Wild Foods Festival on the West Coast. The trip started with a run yes "run" to the Ferry. We were the last to board the boat and we literally got on 5 minutes before it left. We held up 400 people to say the least. Once in Picton we rented a car and started our 5 hour drive to Greymouth where we stayed the first night in a hostel called "Noah's Ark." We had the sheep room.

The Next day (Saturday, March 12th) We drove 40 minutes down to Hokitika for the Festival! The drive down there is parallel with the Tasman Sea and the miles and miles of beach which line the coast. Once at the Festival we (My friends Steve and Jessica) started out journey into the unknown of foodom. Together we tried Kangaroo, HUHU grubs, a Scorpion, goat milk ice cream, snails, moonshine, NZ wine and beer, German bratwurst, lion testicle (doubtful) and a few other goodies. There were other options which we did not divulge into like sheep balls or "mountain oysters," Crickets, worms etc. The rest of the day we spent at the beach and exploring town. Later that night we went back into the festival for some more food and a small town concert. Later in the night we walked the beach which was littered with bonfires as far as the eye could see. The stars were everywhere and the way the smoke drifted over the crashing waves made the whole experience seem unreal.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!
-Love Jon