Back to Kaikoura

Thursday 13^th February

We sadly left Christchurch this morning, with the thought that it would great to come back in about 10 years to see how they have rebuilt it.  Every time they build anything now they have to be earthquake proof, it must be sobering to live with that threat all the times.

It's Dick Dastardly - but I can't see Mutley!

On our drive we passed a couple of delightful Bugatti cars, and during a coffee shop got talking to the owners. They were on their way up to Auckland to join a three week, Auckland to Christchurch Bugatti rally. That would have been lovely to see, we will have to keep our eyes open as we are driving around. These cars are eyewateringly expensive, but very beautiful.

1934 Type E (I was informed)

So we are steadily heading back up South Island towards Picton to catch the ferry back to North Island. As we've driven up the scenery has become less dramatic as we have headed north, but I am wondering if we are getting a little blasé about it after a month of overwhelming beauty. Then it astounds us again as we hit the coast road into Kairoura... I had forgotten how lovely it was.

Our route leads us back through Kiakoura, (what a shame!)  which was our first stop on our way up, so decided to pop into the Whale Watch place on route to see if there was any chance of getting out to see some. The weather was perfect and we booked ourselves on the next cruise,. We hurriedly found a camp and checked in, before heading back to the whale tour.

Well what can I say it was fabulous....hehehe.... we saw 6 Southern Right Whales  (they are called this as they were the 'right' whales to kill - horrible). We saw them coming up for air, float around for a while,  then flick up their tails and head down before diving back under the water....just brilliant.

We also saw Albatross fly over the boat, and on our way back dozens of Dolphins buzzed the boat, jumped in the air around us and danced. What more could we want than seeing all this wildlife around us.

We did try for the star gazing again that night, but the clouds came in.  Perhaps we will have better luck in North Island

What a brilliant day.