South Island tour day 1
Salamander
Mon 6 Dec 2010 08:15
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An early morning crossing of the notoroius Cook
Strait by ferry began the first day. This being NZ you can cross in more than
one way, our favourite suggestion being a flight from North Island to
South Island but only your luggage lands in the aircraft as you parachute out on
the way. Our first night was at Kaikarou. The views were, as always, stupendous
on the way with a stop at 'The Store' for coffee and cake (one of the best
gluten free cakes ever according to Caz). The views inside and outside, as you
can see, were gorgeous. For the budget conscious you just walk through the cafe,
picnic at the bottom of the steps and enjoy the same view.
  We thought that they were making a wildlife film at
the Ohua Point seal colony as it easy to see why; blue seas full of kelp with NZ
fur seals frollicking in the water and out. However, we were shocked to find out
the brutal truth, the cameras were for a news crew as 23 fur seals including 2
bulls, pregnant females and pups were battered to death probably with a club and
this according to the locals we spoke to is not uncommon (scary). The day we
were here the seals just down from the point were still guarding the bloodied
dead bodies, a gruesome sight that many stopped for but we thankfully
missed.
 Finishing the day - yes another fur seal
sanctuary at Kaikoura peninsular
  The misty mountains shown above will of course be
instantly recognisable to any Lord of the Rings fans.
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