Kaikoura is a coastal town, population around 2100. The name means "meal (kai) of crayfish (koura)". The marinelife is spectacular here, and tourists flock here to go swimming with dolphins and whalewatching. Neither of those activities excite me, so it was the 3 hour walk instead.
We stayed overnight at the Pier Hotel, a cozy seaside pub and hotel that was built back in 1885! (pretty old for NZ standards)
We were the only ones staying there for the night (creepy and cool at the same time). Here was our balcony, where we ate breakfast.
After breakfast we started our walk around the peninsula.
It wasn't long til we met some of Kaikoura's famous residents--- seals!!!
There were tons and tons of them! This must've been a family.
This one was napping.
This one looked a little groggy. Maybe I woke it up from its nap. :)
I was being silly and pretending to be a seal to see if they'd like it.
They didn't.
See this cute one hiding? Adorable.
This one wasn't hiding at all--- he plopped himself right down on the walkway!
It was fun to get up and close with them. But there were signs all over telling you not to get *too* close. When they didn't like how close you were, they kind of barked/hissed at you. Marty wanted me to keep getting a little closer to this one for a good photo. I kept my distance.
But then I moved a step closer and the seal almost charged at me! BEST ACTION PHOTO EVER!
Funny now, but not funny at the time.
The walkway passed along high ground at times with views of beautiful coast below.
We walked down to the end of this smaller peninsula...
And found another seal colony!
Seals weren't the only animals of the day. Cows were spotted, too.
And a duck...
And many, many seagulls- this one prettily perched with a fantastic background for photographing!
I also learned that Marty is quite the "pig whisperer". He taught me how to call pigs- simply say "Pigpigpigpigpigpigpigpig!" and they will come over to you. :)
The pigs we came upon were called "Kunekune pigs", a small breed of domestic pig found here in New Zealand. They have a dumpy build, are hairy, and have wattles hanging below their chin. "Kunekune" means "fat and round" in Maori. Did I mention they're ugly?
Truly faces only a mother can love! :)
Before ending the trip, Marty (the arborist) gave me a quick tree lesson--- this is a banana passionfruit tree.
Which had lovely ripe banana passionfruits on it--- a perfect snack for the end of our 3 hour hike!
Yum.
A great overnight trip to Kaikoura. And lesson learned about getting too close to seals!
Til next time!
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