Gorgeous? I think so!

8/25/2010

I am writing this on the beach in Kaikoura. The ocean churns it's deep blue/green self  infront of me, huge waves crash at my feet, sending spray up in the air. To myleft the white tips of the mountains tower over everything, to my right white cliffs rise out of the water. It's cold,  I'm bundled up as much as possible, but the chill seeps through, from the hard, sharp coldness of the pebbled beach, to the salty spray blowing in my face. It's cold. However,  this might be the most gorgeous place I have ever been too.

But, as always, let's start at the beginning. I got back to Christchurch around 8 o'clock last night and left again at 6:30 this morning. It left just enough time to do the necessities; update my blog, shower, eat, repack and four hours of sleep before we had to leave again. We were up and on the bus before the sun had even woken up yet. We made it to the train station in perfect timing, even if we weren't fully awake yet.  Only slightly cranky from getting up so early, I quickly fell to awe as we got to watch the sun rise over the canterbury plains. The shockenly bright rays of sun, wind through the misty, steamy fields. Cows, huddled together had their own little cloud above them, rivers and streams fed the mist as it grew, and then vanished with the coming of the sun.

 I fell asleep after this, but when I woke we were entering the mountains! Well, at least smaller ones; as they were still green and lacking snow on top. We traveled this way for a good hour before we popped out of the hills, and came along side the coast. There is nothing better then looking out one window and seeing massive mountains, then looking out the other and watching the ocean crash against the shore. Wow, pretty sure I must still be dreaming, for right in prettiest part, the train stops in Kaikoura. Can this really be our home for the night?

Kaikoura started our as a whaling town, then became  a fishing town, and finally is offering touristy stuff like whale and dolphin watching. Sadly, whale watching was a little too expensive. However, it was such a perfect day that a hike around the peninsula sounded perfect. But first we had to find our hostel. 

We're staying at The Albatross. The buildings were originally the town's post office and back. It's managed by a couple named Ben and Katie, who have been running it since January. Katelyn and I are the only ones staying in the Turkish style rooms-basically that just means they're super cool! After dropping our packs off in our room we talked to Ben and he gave us recommendations for lunch- a Fudge Factory on the other side of town, i.e. the non-touristy side. So we walked, and walked, and finally found the cafe. I had a salmon and feta bagel that was delicious! Then it was back across town so we could start our peninsula hike.

The walk starts into along the beach, then it follows a road out along the cliff side before reaching the first seal colonial! Right along side the boardwalk was a tiny seal baby! 

Yes, I really was that close to the little guy! Further along we walked out on to the rocks, where the seals were EVERYWHERE! You couldn't walk without causing at least one of them to wake up and rawr at you.

We let them be to hike up the hill to continue around the peninsula. The rest of the trip was way to unbelieveable, I'll share pictures, but it was one of the most gorgeous views/walks/things I have ever seen. The blue sky, the crashing waves-so very far down the cliff side, the rolling green hills, the far off snow-peaked mountains. Just perfection.

See those black dots? Those are ALL seals!

At one point, we came across some snapdragon flowers. Katelyn had never "snapped" a snap dragon, so we spent a couple minutes making these fierce pink dragons roar. 

Alas, the tide is coming in and since I cannot feel my fingers, it is time to head back.