Day 20: Kaikoura

Scottie’s Story

We were not having a lot of luck with the hotel admin as breakfast was too late and when we had to leave for kayaking there was no-one on duty to pay, so we left a note to say that we’d be back later, then headed off to a café which opened at 7am. We had a good breakfast there which set us up nicely for Rob’s kayaking and my walk.

I dropped Rob off then walked to the start of the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway which is described as easy and suitable for children – hmmm, not from my experience. It is a lovely walk and I hardly saw a soul, but there were some pretty steep bits and lots of steps that little ones would struggle with, Also a fair bit of the walk would be “interesting” with them as there was nothing to stop them from going over the edge, so not really suitable for wee ones who love running about and exploring.

Rob’s kayaking group were going to be in a bay along my walking route so I kept an eye out and spotted them some way out – I’d not have noticed them if I had not been consciously looking for him, as they were so far away – I think they will be like peas on a mountain in the photos I took. I carried on with my walk, and it went from being on cliff tops beside the sea to a lovely wooded area, also with steep bits and more steps and my legs were gently sending me some hints. It is definitely not an accessible walk as no pushchairs or wheelchairs had a snowballs chance of doing that walk, but it was lovely and it gave me a good workout. I walked back to the kayaking reception to wait for Rob, who had had a fun time at sea, then we remembered to go back and pay for our accommodation.

After all that exercise we were both quite tired and hungry so we decided to head for home and go back to the Waipara Springs Winery for a late lunch as we had enjoyed our meal there with Liz & Gregor. This time we both had steak and wine flights, although Rob scored on this as I was driving so he had his flights and half of mine. We bought a couple of bottles of their wine on the way out and plan to drink them in an evening (not a single evening, for clarity, but spread over our remaining time in NZ) when we have our cordon bleu meals of Ritz crackers and cheese, not forgetting the crisps – they are too dry without wine! I think that is sufficient justification.

We got home and rested our weary but happy bodies and had an early night.

Rob’s Reflections

Kaikoura – you take the high road and I’ll take the sea road…

Up bright and early – the place we stayed in didn’t start breakfast until 08:00, and given that I had to be at the kayak place by 08:15 that wasn’t gong to work. Instead we found a little cafe 10 minutes away that served breakfast from 07:00. Fortified by French toast & bacon, protected by factor 50 sunscreen, I was ready to face the ocean. I’ll let Lorna tell you about her travels, but we ended up back at the same place only abut 15 minutes apart.

After the expected safety briefing (example: in the event of earthquake, we either get back to shore very quickly, or just paddle out into the deep where a tsunami would have negligible impact on us) we went out in two-man kayaks to see the wildlife. A relaxing two hours on the water. I saw numerous birds; on the water saw a penguin relaxing, and a seal feeding on octopus – tossing bits in the air, then after the meal cleaning itself; then more seals basking on the rocks. These were New Zealand Fur Seals, and we got to within 10 yards of them.

An enjoyable jaunt, and one I would recommend.

Then back to Christchurch, stopping en route at the same winery we went to on Sunday for a meal.