Kaikoura and the Whales

On the drive out of Hanmer Springs we saw more of its beauty. It is set in a bowl surrounded by mountain's. All around there are stunning views. (These 2 adjectives might get overused unless we get creative!).

The journey to Kaikoura was longer than it would usually be due to numerous road repairs caused by earthquakes. This did mean that lunch was not where we anticipated, that and the fact I lost where the place we were going to. The village we ended in had free 3g internet at the green. Park near, walk thru and you can connect to Wifi. No password required.. Come on UK get this now!!!

Arrived at our accomodation about 5pm. A beautiful colonial house. Room more than comfortable and we will be happy here for the next few days. Host is very pleasant who recommended where to go to eat to avoid the town. Seems that the road workers have their own accommodation out of town and on a Saturday 300+ of them decend on Kiakoura turning it into a rowdy place. Not for us

tonight :-))

After an aborted attempt to try and find the seal colony, (my memory failed again!) we went to the recommended restaurant and sat outside in the warm evening sun looking at the bay. Nice meal including Micro Battered Whitebait. (picture on prior page shows it is a different twist). It was a beautful evening, finished of by a waIk back around the bay to our accommodation. We know we are on holiday now....

Next morning started late after a healthy breakfast, including cake.
Wind had picked up, but the Bay looked calm as we started to get excited about the Whale Watching trip. Arrived at the location to check in and saw that it was cancelled. Bummer!! Turned out that the winds were creating swells of 20-30 feet where the whales were so understandable. We have rescheduled for later in our trip, so all was not lost.

Rest of day was now visiting other 'attractions'. Which isn't much. But weather was good and found a bayside cafe with exceptional food which we ate in the sunshine while soaking up the view. (picture attached).
There had been a 5.4 earthquake two weeks before our arrival which added to the damaged look of some of the buildings. So when a town siren went off the next morning I was quick to Google what it was

about. Luckily only a call for the fire crew.

Before we left Kaikoura we visited the seal colony. Unfortunately the tide was out and very few seals could be seen. It was like this yesterday but the there were also annoying trippers who insisted in getting a close as possible to the few seals that were there for a selfie. People....

The road north was still closed for repairs (earthquake again) so our simple 1.5 hour drive became a 6-7 hour drive thru the mountains. Beautiful scenery, very twisty roads and a number of hidden police cars that kept our speed in check, well mostly! It is a most tedious extension to our journey over roads we plan to drive later in our travels, but there was no other alternative.

Finally, 7 hours after setting out we arrived at our next accommodation on a vineyard (first of many to be visited). We had been driving thru acres of vineyards for at least an hour. It is unbelievable how much of the land is turned to grape. It will be a pleasure discovering more about it

Had hoped to have whale pictures in this chapter but hopefully that will be later instead.