Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend a fabulous Celebration of Tourism at the outstanding Monteiths Brewery in my hometown of Greymouth.
It was an exciting day for all those who are involved in tourism on the WestCoast of New Zealand, a time to celebrate what we have achieved and to demonstrate how much further we can go.
One of the highlights was the authenticity of the new tourism catchphrase for our region: "Untamed Natural Wilderness".
Anyone who has heard me telling my New Zealand stories around the world, will realise how passionately I love my country and how particularly I love the WestCoast. When we say it is an "Untamed Natural Wilderness" we are only making a statement of fact. From the beautiful sunny clear crisp winter days, to the frigid katabatic wind affectionately known as the "barber" because it cuts to the bone. From the towering majesty of glacial walls of ice, to summer swimming in pristine lakes and rivers. What is there not to love about the west coast?
If you need any reminder of the spectacular nature of where I live and love here is a recent photo of my family and I visiting the glaciers.