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Published: March 30th 2012
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We had a brilliant week in Kaikoura, a place with a rich sea life, whales, dolphins, seals and sea food! There is a Kaikoura range (mountains around 2000m) which we challenged as well. "Kai" means "food" and "Koura" is "crayfish" in Maori language. The paradise for a fisherman!
On the way to Kaikoura, we stopped in Conway Flat & Claverley where Lucas caught a massive fish from the beach by a beautiful sunset. We couldn't identify the fish but it was kind of ugly. He let it go and we found out the next day that it was the elephant fish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callorhinchidae I would definitely recommend visiting Goose Bay which has got couple of campsites right on the beach from where you can watch the sea life. You can go collect Paua or dive for crayfish. We met Don and Carol, who live in Blenheim and who invited us to stay with them should we pass by.
I am sure it is possible to swim with dolphins for free if one has got a wet suit and is lucky and brave enough.
There is a free DOC campsite near the town so that was handy. We, however,
did freedom camping near the beach 😊 We would have a bath in the freezing river in the mornings which I will definitely miss back home! It was so cold once that I lost a feeling in both of my feet!
We did a Kowhai Saddle Trek which was one of the best ones we have done. It was sunny, warm and you walk in a river bed for 4.5 km where you had to climb limestones and cross the river in certain parts. It was very adventurous and recommended only for fit hikers. It was very challenging but we were soon rewarded by a magnificent water fall where we were bathing naked.
We also climbed the Mt Fyffe but it was very cloudy and raining so we didn't see the mountain Snowflake or the Kowhai Valley which was very disappointing. It is a very steep mountain and you literally walk up for 4 hours.
We discovered a mould in our car which was caused by a leaking 20l canister of water which we carry at the back. The carpet got soaked and has been probably left like this for couple of days. We were lucky enough
to attract the sunshine to dry the car.
Lucas and I tried diving in South Bay and it was awesome. Something I really wanted to do and should try again. It is scary first but you fall in love with it. It is like totally different world down there. Lucas got us some Paua which is a weird sea snail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paua There are strict limits to its size and it takes 6 years for it to grow to 12 cm, I think. God, how it was trying to get back to the water! It is all black and it looks like a massive tongue which is twisting and trying to turn the shell back. I couldn't imagine eating it. Anyway, you cut it off, bang it mainly on its leg (which is the central part) so it softens and you cut it fine and you fry it in the pan with onion and garlic, add soya sauce and it tastes pretty much like a mushroom 😊 Ufff, what an experience 😊
I also had to sort out my IRD number which is a ID number to be able to work. I didn't have that so we had to
run to the office in Kaikoura where they sorted it out within an hour...awesome!
On the way back to Waipara we encountered hundreds of dusky dolphins swimming south
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/dusky-dolphin/facts/ it was so beautiful to watch them play and jump and just be happy. There were about 30 metres away from the coast. Amazing!
There was a St Annes picnic area, so you can imagine that I wanted to stop there..just like at home back in Lancashire 😊))
Then our "holiday" was over and we had to start work on the vineyard. The vineyard terraces overlooked the river bed with stunning views of the three Deans range, Waipara Valley's landmark hills. We loved it. We met lots of new people and our boss was British! We did tagging, thinning and 2nd set, smelled like wine and enjoyed ourselves. It was a whole new experience. We were lucky with the weather, it only really rained one day. We spent the weekends on the beach, either fishing or chilling.
Today, we are heading to Christchurch where we should be staying with Bob who offered to host us for couple of days.
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