Kaikoura

Jim had not crossed Cook Strait on the ferry, so off we went to Kaikoura, a doable week end trip. After a night crossing, a quick overnight in Blenheim, and a short trip across the Kaikoura Ranges we arrived at the beautiful Pacific Ocean. 

The views were enough to make the trip worthwhile, but the thousands of seal pups playing in the ocean and the tired mom and dad seals resting on the rocks along the highway left us speechless. But it got even better! We walked along a small stream (one of those wonderfully clear and refreshing forest streams) where hundreds of seal pups come from the ocean to play while the mothers are getting food in the ocean. And about one hundred pups were playing in the pool formed by the beautiful waterfall. Another 10 experience! While we tried to get the best photos, apparently we got too close and we were chased by a seal!

 

The Maori legend says that Maui, the demigod put his foot on the Kaikoura Peninsula when he used the jawbone of his ancestor to fish up the North Island. On a pleasant but overcast day we hiked along this peninsula and then explored some of the beaches down below. We found unusual rock formations on the beaches and also interesting marine life. We would have liked to investigate a little longer, but it was getting dark and we were hungry. 

 

 A crisp and sunny autumn day greeted us in the morning. The beautiful sand/rock beach across from our boutique hotel and the view of the snow covered mountains made it hard for us to leave, but we had a ferry to catch. Maybe a return trip?