B and G in New Zealand: Kaikoura 2014

On the drive from Portage in Kenepuru Sound to Kaikoura in southern Marlborough we made a few stops. We stopped at 2 roadside fruit stands in Renwick. We bought fresh plums, white flesh peaches and yummy apricots – great find with delicious taste.

Later we stopped in Blenheim for a great vegetarian meal at the Ritual Café. We ran into Jim Campbell (our host in Portage). We were surprised when walking down the street, and someone behind us said. “Hey, Massachusetts.”

Kaikoura Peninsula

Artist Retreat

Driveway to Artist Retreat

View from Artist Retreat

The drive down the coast to Kaikoura was lovely. We stopped at Ohau Seal Colony Lookout just 15 minutes North of Kaikoura to see New Zealand fur seal pups on the rocks. Artist Retreat the name of our holiday home is on the outskirts of Kaikoura with beautiful views of the ocean, fields and the start of the Southern Alps. We even could see a little snow on the tops. When we got out of the car, we were struck by the smell of the salt water (not a smell that you find on all the coasts of New Zealand).

New Zealand fur seal pups

Pup taking an energizing sunbath

Okiwi Bay

Ohau Stream and Waterfall (pups play here in winter)

Our first day, we hiked the trail around the top of the Kaikoura Peninsula. From this view we could see the mountains, Kaikoura township, out to sea, the fur seals and the wide variety of sea birds. When the tide was out, a couple days later we walked below the peninsula for a different view entirely. One day we drove out past the shops of town, by farms and fields toward Mt Fyffe. The Fyffe-Parmer Track climbed up the side of Mt Fyffe through regenerated forest.