We continued our journey southward, stopping at the Hokitika Gorge for a relatively short hike. The glacial fed river is a brilliant turquoise, fringed by stark white limestone cliffs and lush green rainforest. My photographs do not do justice to the glorious color palette. As is typical in New Zealand, the trails are beautifully maintained and often include swinging bridges that are as fun to traverse as they are to photograph.

With so much candy for the eye in front of you, it is easy to miss what is underfoot even though it is just as exciting. Entoloma hochstetteri, also known as the blue pinkgill, is a species of mushroom that is endemic to New Zealand. It is the only mushroom to ever be featured on a bank note and it has yet to be determined if it is poisonous or not.