Kaikoura

After a lovely 2 days in the land of Sauvignon Blanc, we ventured further along the Marlborough coast (stunning scenery) to Kaikoura. Famous for Whale watching. Along the route we stopped at Wharanui to look for our house sitters (Todd) father, who would be at the beach collecting his crayfish pots. The beach was beautiful. 3 colours of turquoise was the ocean and the beach covered in grey volcanic pebbles of varying sizes. The backdrop of lush, bush covered hilly terrain. We failed to spot Todd's father sadly. (We had had tea with Margaret, his mother, and sister, Nina though, the day before).
We stopped next to view a colony of NZ fur seals sun bathing and swimming off rocks just by the highway.
Finally to the next camp at Kaikoura, where we were tightly packed in with other avid whale-watching campers.

View of the road from the back seat

Baby fur seals in a rock pool

The road into Kaikoura

 Monday 21st Feb we were woken at 5.30 am by the sound of an air raid siren, which is the signal for the volunteer fire brigade to assemble for duty. As we looked out of the camper in the dark we could see, and smell, smoke billowing out of a building across the road..... quite frightening. Luckily it wasn't anything to do with the campsite, but a fast food chicken outlet smouldering away.
Anyway, by 6.45am we were up, dressed and waiting in the departure lounge for our boat trip out to watch whales. By 7.15am Hugo had refused to get on the bus to the boat quay, and had further refused, by running away from the boat! .... As they had announced 'high sea sickness' warning and a swell of up to 1m, I thought it best not to pursue Hugo's refusal and gave in to him. Unfortunately Bea and Daddy carried on with the trip.... The photographic evidence (or lack of) proved what a bad idea it was to have taken the boat out that day! Poor Bea (very sick)..... Poor Michael (very covered in sick) ....

The best picture!