East coast South Island

Today we rose and shone in Blenheim, but the weather was cool and drizzly. Dave decided on this trip he was a fair weather golfer and skipped the game he had planned at the Marlborough golf course. We packed up and drove on to Kaikoura. We remembered our last trip down this coast and stopped at the same place (The Store) for a flat white and newspaper. A beautiful little spot. Quite isolated - there is nothing else around.

Then we drove on, down the most "scenic" part of the drive (read "scary above drop off to rocks and ocean" for "scenic"). We stopped at a picnic spot to take photos of the rocks and waves, and it turned out those dark spots on the rocks were seals, not seaweed, so got photos of seals as well. Although there are actually 3 seals in the first photo, I didn't realize I was taking a picture of seals until after I snapped it. The second photo the seal is a little clearer, since I meant to take his picture.

Then we carried on to Kaikoura. By now it was a hot sunny day. After checking into our hotel and grabbing lunch we decided to go check out the local golf course. Since Dave had missed his game in Blenheim, he took out his clubs and played a round. Now he's not sure what to do tomorrow afternoon, as his plan had been to golf then. The course was a bit of a goat track (or, if you look at the right hand side of the photo behind the fence, perhaps sheep track would be more accurate) but still quite lovely with mountains at the back, and the ocean at the other side.

Then we went to the seal colony. Here, where we planned on seeing seals, we actually saw rocks instead. Though there were seals way out on the point, past where we were willing or able to walk to. As I am a surf lover, I found the waves breaking on the rocks to be still quite lovely, even in the absence of seals.

Then we drove up the hill to the look out. The photos are from the exact same spot, one showing the town of Kaikoura around the inner part of the bay, and the other looking out to sea.

Quite a beautiful spot. Even without whales it is a worthwhile place to visit. I do go to see the whales tomorrow, so it will be even better.