Kaikoura (pronounced KY-KOO-RUH) is our first REAL stop in NZ.....that means time to explore, get out and about and not just sleep or drive straight through....a seaside town on the east coast of the south island known for whale watching, but Tom and Kathy are not taking the whale watching boat because the seas are too rough and all you see are people hanging over the side puking....no thanks!
The Pacific from our balcony.....didn't pay the premium for the oceanfront!
We have lots of sea gulls on the roof of the neighboring school....and a panoramic vista of the mountains beyond......from whence we just drove.
Soooo much nicer than STOP!!!!!
On our way to dinner, we stroll the Esplanade on the water, through these unusual arches, made of driftwood.
This MUST be the national flower of NZ. It is everywhere, in abundance, and always in purple. I know we have this at home, but in smaller version. These plants are very large, bordering the highways as well.
Dinner last night was at an indoor location....this is breakfast location.....gorgeous weather!
The view is even more gorgeous!
Perched on a hill in the center of town is this Presbyterian church, confirming my contention that the Presbyterians have the prettiest churches......in the States, but here we are in NZ and the same is true....gotta climb that hill and get better pictures...
Hmmmm.....well, the pictures aren't that much better. The church sits on a very tiny parcel of land..hard to get a good perspective....and the doors were locked.
The view was worth the climb....doesn't the Pacific look like the Caribbean?...green, not blue.
There sits Tom in "Blanche"(which is French for white), our white Corolla.....he is not into church picture taking!
T is smiling again...and out of the car cuz we are walking to find the seal colony.
This kelp turns brown and has the texture of rubber...
And we keep walking with my mariner Tom already worried about getting back before the tide comes in...
Our first sighting!!!!!
Still walking......
Our second sighting!!!
We are up to three or four by now....and having such fun!!
The signs cautioned to stay 10 meters from the seals.....we fudged a tiny bit....could count the fingers/toes on their flippers!!
Look VERY closely and you will see his flipper (hand/toe) scratching his tummy....and you can SEE the thumb and four fingers!
Beautiful weather, wonderful 3 mile walk across fields, valleys and rock to find the seals....wondering why there so few.....it is mating season and they are in a different location for a few weeks....guess these guys/girls have no partner.....well, we loved it nonetheless! On to Christchurch and a much anticipated four night stop.
