Nelson to Kaikoura

I should be used to these early morning starts but having to be up, eat breakfast and load the luggage on the bus by 7.30 still isn't easy.
Off to Kaikoura today and the view on route are so diverse. On the right of the bus are miles and miles of rolling green hills with lots of sheep cattle and horses, on the left is the azure blue sea with black sand as far as the eye can see and directly in front of us is a range of snow-capped mountains. Can't even see any other vehicle on the road - the south island is much less populated than the north island.

Stopped at the side of the road to look at a seal colony - good to watch them play and spar with each other. It's difficult to get photos as they blend into the rocks so well.

Arrived in Kaikoura and decided last minute to go whale watching, so quick changed into something warm before SUe dropped us off and we caught the luxury coach to the catamaran. It was a bigh improvement on the whale watching boat from OZ - comfy leather seats and such a smooth ride out to sea. Within 5 minutes the captain stopped the engines as there was a sperm whale in sight. So we managed to take our photos before he said - 'Get your cameras ready as he's about to dive!' ANd sure enought he did and we got that pic of his tale.. Then we were told that the winds were picking up and they had to cut the trip short. I wasn't disappointed though as we'd seen the whale and they gave us an 80% refund - RESULT!!

Then to add to the excitement of the day we went back to the YHA which I forgot to mention sits right in view of the snow capped mountains - great view from the dining room. Anyway - back to the plot -a few of us were sitting having a cuppa and chat when a woman from the local paper came in and asked if 2 of us wouldm't mind posing for a phote (but we had to be smart) I've felt like a rag for the last 6 months so was surprised she asked me. So Kat and I posed , sitting on the rocks pretending to eat crayfish with a knife and fork. We'll see if it appears in the Marlborough Express/Kaikoura Star tomorrow but I won't hold my breath.

Oh such a hectic life!!

Watch this space

Love Sue.xxx