Smiling from ear to ear
Trip Start
Unknown
1
30
37
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand
Monday, February 28, 2011
Kaikoura 28th February - 1st March
I drove from Blenheim down to Kaikoura and I had a smile from ear to ear! It was a beautiful day. I had started off with a wine tasting before I left Marlborough and eaten lunch, and was listening to some good music and taking in views to die for from the car. The road follows the railway track that I had taken three years ago (Tranz Coastal) and the views were amazing. I also stopped off at a few places briefly, such as the salt works (there are massive salt lakes nearby, all different colours reflecting the different grades of salt) and a seal colony. The seals were all active, checking us out, yawning and sneezing. Driving in NZ is a pleasure, with wide roads and no traffic to speak of, or winding roads around mountains with hawks circling above.
I stopped in one of my fav backpackers - Dusky Lodge, which has a jacuzzi, swimming pool and cafe/restaurant. I also hired a bike free last time. Unfortunately they slipped off their perch slightly with no bikes available and the in-house restaurant only serving BBQ food instead of Thai. The next day I went shopping in my fav shops in Kaikoura (Wool Shed and Paua Factory shop) and then went on a three hour walk around the Kaikoura Peninsular, where there were great views and lots of cows to talk to (beef seems to have taken over in NZ and I even found it hard to find venison now - what had been a traditional meat, alongside lamb). It was very relaxing and beautiful day. There were more seals lazing on rocks around the peninsular, but they could have been dead, as most were draped over them, soaking up the last heat of the afternoon.
I left on 1st, but not before having a coffee and choc mud cake (gluten free) in my fav organic cafe, Hislops. Wonder why I am putting on weight this holiday......?
