By Kay Douglas
Thanks (once again) to the cheap Air NZ flights, we had a magnificent 4 days in Christchurch and Kaikoura recently. What a treat!
The weather was perfect – sunny and cloudless. How fortunately is that for this time of the year?
I adore train travel and the Transcoastal trip from Christchurch to Kaikoura was especially beautiful. I just wished we’d had time to go all the way to Picton with the snowy mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
Of course I had a wonderful time taking photos for my Warm Fuzzy messages I send to subscribers each day
(see here for more info). It's a real pleasure to be able to share NZ's beauty with others and receive so many appreciative comments from around the world.
The absolute highlight of our trip was the discovery of about 20 baby seals in a fresh water rock pool up a stream in the bush at the foot of a waterfall - thanks to a local who tipped us off.
What a delight watching them jump and play in this beautiful natural playground.
The seal pups are weaning at the moment and take this trip up into the bush to swim in this rock pool without their Mums.
Unfortunately the low light levels made it impossible to get good photos of the seals in the rock pool as they were just outside the range of the flash. But a couple of brave wee seals were in the side of the path and one was bold enough to venture up to John and sniff his hand. It is a no-no to touch the seals, or to get too close to the adult ones as they can be aggressive, but since it was a curious baby who made the approach we figured this was okay. Perhaps John looked a bit like a daddy seal crouched down in his grey jacket and woolly hat (not to mention the grey whiskers)? Anyway we felt honoured.
While in Kaikoura we also did the whale watch boat trip and had the thrill of seeing several whales. I'm not the best sea traveller so had to be disciplined about keeping my eyes on the horizon in between times to keep my stomach steady. I was very relieved that it was a calm day.
I feel very fortunate that we are able to see such delights and I hope I never take this for granted, as there's so many that can't.
In New Zealand we are truly blessed to be surrounded by such natural beauty.
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