Kaikoura

Early morning to the ferry for a hop, skip and a jump over to the South Island. We had great weather and lovely views along the way of Wellington and the North Island receding, and then the sounds and hills of the South Island approaching. It was very cool to almost immediately see a different landscape on the south island of different looking hills, way more forested area, and the big sounds that the boat passed through. A short ride through Picton, we stopped in Blenheim for a visit. The town had a very different demographic than I had been used to seeing as there were many migrant workers in the area to work in the many local vineyards. The town itself was small but pretty nice with a public square and pretty waterfront features. As we drove off, the landscape around the town was also quite nice with the many vineyards sheltered between mountains - tres cool! Our next stop on the way to Kaikoura was a very special one at a magical seal pond! About a 10 minute walk up the road, there was a waterfall flowing into a small pool of water which was alive with the activity of 25-35 seal pups - SOOO CUTE! The pups come up to the pool from the ocean to swim and socialize in safety, and they were making the most of it! They were leaping and splashing through the water, chasing each other, sitting on rocks, climbing the banks to appear as 'tree-seals', and generally being very entertaining. Neato!

Seeing Seals

 

We then continued our drive through snow capped and impressive mountains and very different vegetation, alongside the ocean to beautiful Kaikoura. Here, I was lucky enough to be able to stay with parents of the friends I was travelling with in their beautiful home. It was quite a neat place with gorgeous, highly functional gardens and a view down onto the ocean and town, and up to the mountains.

Kaikoura the beautiful

 My next day was spent in Kaikoura and included a lovely tour of the house, workshop and gardens in the area where the couple makes or grows much of their food from garden and scratch - very cool, and delicious home made honey. I also walked and explored the area, having a beautiful walk along the wharf of the old whaling town (almost stepping on a seal), and enjoying the small town. Kaikoura was originally a whaling and sealing town as its waters are especially productive for these species, and while they aren't hunted here anymore, the town is still based around them, just through tourism and whale watching now. After lunch I went for another walk the other direction along the coast and found more seals than I have ever seen in one place! The seals were just chilling on the rocks making quite a site between the two colonies that were stationed there. My hosts were my guides for the walk as they used to work as seal divers and had lots of information for me. Kaikoura was a beautiful and wonderful place with great mountain to ocean views, and a very entertaining local seal population.

 

 

 

Tough day eh?