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Published: August 21st 2007
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"Punting" In Christchurch
Just one Cornetto, give it to me.
You must be joking, it's bloody freeeeezing! Hello from the South Island of New Zealand. Last left you after arriving into Picton, where we spent one night before heading steadily southwards.
Had precious few daylight hours in Picton, which we used up with a long walk around the town and surrounding hills. The guy at our guesthouse offered to let us walk his little Scottie dog. Lucy excitidly agreed, while I rolled my eyes!! We dam near exhausted the poor thing, with a massive trek around the bays of picton. Spent most of the night trying to convince Lucy that a "ickle doggy" would not be a good idea when we got home!
Left Picton the next morning, bound for the marine paridise of Kaikoura. As we headed south, the scenery just got better and better and better. On the road into Kaikoura we noticed some Japanese tourists on the road side taking photos. Realising that the Japanese rarely miss a trick, we joined them and were greeted by a massive colony of seals. We'd been told that you could spot seals, but expected maybe a handful, not the hundreds in front of us. I spent a few minutes explaining to Lucy that a seal would
Akaroa
Annoying Dolphin cancellations, but nice views! "rip my arm off", if I tried to hug one, and not hug me back, as she expected!
Kaikoura itself greeted us with and amazing mixture of coastal and snow cap mountain scenery. We checked into a cosy little B&B called "The Lazy Shag"; being the child that I am, this name amused me slightly. With Half the day left to explore, we quickly changed clothes and started an "Ad Hoc" road tour of the area. Again, saw some top class scenery and tonnes more Seals. We spotted a huge seal and decided we wanted some "proper" photos close up. There are several photos of me nervously smiling at increasingly closer distances to the big seal. Then theres one final photo which contains a pissed off seal and me "legging" away! We sort of got a slap on the wrist from a local who told us not to go so close again.
The next day we woke early ready for a much anticipated "Dolphin and Whale Encounter" tour. We were hopefully going to see loads of Whales and Dolphins (and maybe even swim with some). Tragically, they cancelled the tour because of bad weather! They weren't holding out
Seals in Kaikoura
The Animal dance class was in full swing! much hope for the next few days either, so we decided to head south to Christchurch early, and maybe try a Dolphin tour another day. Before leaving we took a quick tour of the local "Maori Leap Cave", a local sea cave with stunning rock formations. Its called the Leap Cave becuase of some Maori legend, which we weren't really convinced by considering the cave was only discovered recently.
On the way to Christchurch we stopped at a winery our friend had recommended (Pegasus Bay). Muggins boy here had to drive, so I could only sample a couple of wines. Lucy, however, made the very most of the opportunity, although I dont think shes quite got the hang of the slow delicate tasting procedure!
After some time, and many terrible directional choices, we eventually found our Guesthouse in Christchurch and settled down to dreams of Dolphins!
Day one in Christchurch started badly with me nursing a poorly belly. Eventually recovered enough to walk into town and take in some sights. Christchurch is a very English City (including the weather!) Highlights of the City were the Cathedral, the "Punting" on the river and the Trams. The whole place
smacks of Old British culture and atmosphere, and made us slightly home sick! After sampling the town, we left to find our next accomodation courtesy of our friend (Mark) parents just outside of Christchurch. Pulled up to the most amazing house, wondering if we'd got the right address! Our doubts were dispelled when we were warmly greeted by Denyse and Robbie. Our stay was perfect; don't think we could have possibly been made to feel more welcome and cared for. In fact, we were both considering becoming permenant lodgers, but decided that our hosts had put up with us enough (for now...)
After some Dolphin investigations, Lucy found us a company who offered the Swimming experience out of a town called "Akoroa". So we reserved our places for the next morning.
The drive to Akoroa was like a ride on a snakes back, twisting a turning through and around mountains. With excitment levels up to 100%, we arrived into the town and prepared ourselves for the Dolphin adventure of a lifetime......which was cancelled......again....Grrrrrrrr!
Having made the journey, we decided to at least try the local nature cruise, hoping for some consolation after the bad luck with the Dolphins!
Maori Leap Cave
Bob the builder finally finds a girlfriend! The cruise took us around the nearby bays and a little out into the Pacific ocean. We did actually see a couple of Dolphins, which only served to make us yern to swim with them even more!
We headed back to Christchurch, where we were somewhat cheered up by a wonderful Dinner with our hosts. We couldn't let go of the Dolphin idea, and so re-booked for the next morning.
So, we ventured the snake roads again, in the hope of finally having our Dolphin dreams come true. You know that saying "Third time Lucky"? Well it didn't apply here......
Dolphin Swimming?!? By now I was thinking more about Dolphin shooting!! With Gritted teeth, we left Akoroa and began another long drive down to the city of Dunedin in the South East of New Zealand. Stopped off back at Christchurch to try out the "Antarctic Centre". Had some fun in the "Storm" room, and had a nail biting ride on an Antarctic style vehicle. Also got to meet some Penguins, which Lucy predictably fell in love with. The staff did warn us that the place is mainly for kids, we just smiled and said, "We know"!!!
Looking
Picton Beach
Just me and my dawg! forward to fun, action and more wonderful views further South.
Until then, bye bye.
Dan and Lucy
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