Clan Haley

Kaikōura

Our morning in Hanmer Springs was slightly more eventful than I had planned. Whilst making coffee I spilt boiling water all over my hand. After getting over that and cleaning up the enourmous mess I made in the process (it got on the ceiling) we got on our way. Laura had the pleasure of driving down one of the wiggliest roads we have come across (ever) as we wound our way slightly further north for our final stop on our South Island Road Trip. We arrived in Kaikōura around lunch and after eating and getting some cooling cream for my hand we went for a walk around the peninsula. The sun was shining and were were treated to some of the best wildlife we have seen on this whole trip. On the beach was a massive NZ fur seal colony with lots of little pups. As well as the seals we saw lots of birds like the red billed gull, pied stilts, little shags, variable oyster catchers and white fronted terns. I was like a kid in a candy shop with my camera. James loved seaing the seals, but found the idea that the mums leave/abondon their pups while they go to eat a bit traumatic. Some well placed geocaches kept him going though.

After a quick stop for some delicious ice cream we checked in to our campsite and got setup. I took James for a quick swim and a soak in a hot tub before dinner.

This morning we ventured inland for a rather steap hike through some local bush. Unfortunately there was no view from the top, but it was a lovely hike and a few geocaches found. Then we stopped for lunch and all got milkshakes. It was just one of those days! Our next excitment was our whale watching trip. On the agenda was exploring the huge trench just a few kms off shore where the sperm whales like to hunt. We were very lucky to see 2 whales dive three times in total. In addition to the sperm whales we also got treated to some soaring northern royal albatross. These are the same type as we saw nesting in Dunedin 2 short weeks ago. They just float above the waves with such ease. Our last spot was a pod of Dusky Dolphins playing in the sea.

Tomorrow we pack up for the final time in the South Island before heading to Christchurch for our flight back to Auckland for Christmas.