Sunday, 8 August 2010

Monday – Kaikoura… a day by the sea

The weather had only marginally improved since yesterday, so we decided to have a lazy morning and then drive out to see if we could spot some NZ fur seals along the coast.

We drove north on highway 1 and as we looked out the window along the rugged storm swept coastline we saw hundreds of fur seals down on the rocks.  We stopped at Ohau Point Seal Colony and spent some time with these cute little fellas.

DSCF7588 DSCF7583

Once again our wildlife photographer Ben got some cracking shots!

DSCF7580 DSCF7584

We felt very privileged that we were able to have the whole colony to ourselves, and that we were able to get so close.

DSCF7593 DSCF7596

As we drove back to Kaikoura (which means ‘to eat crayfish’ in Maori) we stopped at Nin’s Bin Crayfish, so Ben could spend some of his birthday money from Mum and Dad Smith.

DSCF7599 DSCF7597

With his pick of fresh local caught crayfish from this road side van he was in heaven…only problem, which one to have!

DSCF7598

Once selection was made we sat in the van enjoying the view, and digging into the tastiest, meatiest crayfish either of us had ever had (Tracy had a little taster).

DSCF7601 DSCF7604

Next stop was out on Kaikoura Peninsula, at the Point Keen car park…where there was hopefully another NZ fur seal colony.  

DSCF7625

We were in luck, it was definitely the closest all three of us had been to these sleepy creatures!

DSCF7614 DSCF7618

As we sat watching the oldies, they barely moved, and slept for the duration of our visit.  The youngsters on the other hand were full of beans.

DSCF7620 DSCF7621

We sat on some rocks next to this old man (pictured above), he didn’t even open an eye.

DSCF7629

Packed back in the van we drove into town, and Tracy got some delicious fresh fish and chips from Cooper’s Catch.

ST830295DSCF7633 

Hopefully tomorrow the weather will be good enough to get out and see some whales and dolphins…everything is crossed!

DSCF7632

No comments:

Post a Comment