Anne here…
Well I nominated yesterday as probably my best day, of many truly awesome and fantastic days. BUT today may have been fractionally better! See what you think…
The road North of Kaikoura has absolutely fantastic views both inland of rolling hills and on the other side of the rocky coastline of the Pacific Ocean. The sea is a fantastic bluey/greeny colour.
Within 15 minutes, we stopped at the Ohau seal colony and there were at least 150 seals on the rocks and beach just below our cliff top viewing point. I promise that I am under-estimating not exaggerating. They were totally awesome. The pups, born in November/December, were playing in a big rock pool or playing chase or getting scolded by their mums. The older seals were mainly stretched out sleeping on the rocks although some of the big bull seals were throwing their weight around and there some squabbles going on. I was fascinated, they were just awesome to watch. I stayed so long that Paul got quite cold and had to return to the car to warm up. We took literally hundreds of photos and video but also we just enjoyed standing watching them. Just a reminder that some of Paul’s photos are here: Our New Zealand photos.
We also walked up to the Ohau stream and waterfall where the mum seals sometimes send their pups to play while they go out to sea to feed. There were only four seals there today but they were very cute and the waterfall was majestic.
We hadn’t really intended to stop for long but in the end we spent the whole morning watching the seals and even then I wanted to go back and see the seals all over again. We didn’t get to Blenheim until 4pm-ish. The inland scenery and the Pacific coast line on that road is just fantastic. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it has been nominated as one of the best coast roads in the world.
We entered Marlborough wine region and the number of vineyards and huge wineries increased dramatically. I recognised so many names of wines that we drink regularly at home.
By the time we got to Blenheim the royal visitors were long gone and it was raining quite heavily. So we pressed on through Picton along Queen Charlotte Drive, which twists and turns its way along the coast. You get panoramic views across Picton harbour and then the bay. Once again I was caught out by how tropical the vegetation is, with huge ferns growing tall.
We ended our day in a hot tub on the veranda of our guest house with panoramic views of Queen Charlotte bay, before guzzling local wine and having a home cooked meal. A memorable end to a fantastic day.