NZ +11: North to Kaikoura

Today, we had a (not so long as Queenstown) drive north to Kaikoura. This was along State Highway 1 which for the first little bit was the Canterbury plains again, flat countryside with those wide volcanic river beds sweeping down to the sea. Then we went into what looked like the Yorkshire Dales, roads going over the top of hills and hugging their contours. Then we hit the coast and the the mountainside came down right to the beach with the road and the railway sandwiched in between. Occasionally, when there was not enough room, the railway went through a tunnel, while the road clung onto the narrow ledge above (and below) the rocks. And when there wasn't enough room for the road, that went through a tunnel as well.

We stopped on the first beach we got to - it was rough, and misty...

(The Specific Ocean again, in case you were wondering.)

...and then we carried on hugging the coast road to Kaikoura.

Now, Kaikoura is famous for whale watching, and you have to go out on a big boat for three and a half hours to do it. And look at the amazing photos we managed to get...

Well, actually, by the time we got here, the boat had gone for the day, and none of us fancied a three and a half boat trip anyway. So these were the only whales you got...

Don't tell me you were fooled!

We enquired at the first motel we saw about a room for the night, and indeed they had one - it's here at Waves on the Esplanade. We were a bit confused at first as she said $190 per night. And we were thinking per room per person and that it was a bit steep and we would have to find somewhere cheaper.

However, what she actually meant was $190 for the whole apartment for the night. Two bedrooms, one with ensuite. Additional bathroom. Kitchen with all mod cons, living and dining areas and a balcony with a sea and mountain view. Needless to say, we took it. That's about £27 each. For this:

...and this...

...and this...

...and this...

...and this view...

...which would have mountains in it if it weren't for the low cloud.

Anyway, we are...

...two down and three along from the "Waves" sign.

Now, as we didn't have time for whales, we thought we'd do the next best thing and go to the Seal Colony. If you're a regular reader, you might know what's coming...

We drove out to the Point, a headland near to the town. We saw the crashing Pacific Ocean...

We saw mountains in cloud...

We saw, erm, sea birds...

(Anyone with an Observer Books of Birds who would care to identify this for me? Ann Crocker, are you there?)

But the word "Colony" obviously means something different over here. Not one damned seal cared to raise its head and we were left feeling like an old envelope... slightly unsealed. (I promise I will not start littering this blog with jokes like that...)

Anyway, on the way back, there was a shout, a screech of brakes, a hasty u-turn and...

Now I realise I will never be David Attenborough on the wildlife/photography front, but that is a seal.

Obviously some way from its colony...

North to Picton, the ferry, Wellington and the North Island tomorrow...