Akaroa to Hamilton
27th July 2006
From Akaroa I had a leisurely drive to Christchurch where I spent a couple of days. Easy city to walk around and chill out. Then it was off to Timaru where I spent a couple of days overlooking Caroline Bay. Beautiful views from my motel view of the mountains and the sea but the bay was grey shingle and grey sand and did not look great. Then the tourist town of Kaikoura with the Kaikoura mountains in the background. I went on a whale watching tour and gave up counting after 6. 2-3 sperm whales are the norm apparently at this time of the year. I have photos of course of tails and backs of whales but these will have to wait until I can find an internet cafe to resize them.
The drive up the east coast is as scenic as the west. I was also pleased to see some early lambs in the fields, having missed the spring in UK. There was also a lone hare gambolling in one of the fields as I passed by. Very easy driving here as usually I was the only one on the road.
After Kaikoura, I made my way to Picton and stayed overnight to wait for the ferry. Nothing in Picton but I enjoyed my visit to the aquariam. I learnt alot about the New Zealand seahorses, cute creatures. The ferry crossing was quite bad but luckily Boots sea sickness tablets work. Such a difference from my crossing over in June. There were a lot of people making use of the bags provided. Picked up my rental car and found my way to Howard and Robin's flat and availed myself of their hospitality once again. On Sunday I visted with my second cousin Jonathan, Mila and their daughter Oriana. We had a lovely walk along Lyall Bay in glorious sunshine.
I drove to Greytown in the late afternoon and paid a visit to the chocolate shop which I was recommended by someone in Napier. He obviously had not been to the shop in Napier as that was much better. However, I still managed to purchase something to eat! I have made my way around the west coast of the north island in the last few days. The glorious sunshine and warmth has continued. New Plymouth where I stayed for a couple of days was 17 degrees. How about that in the middle of winter. Having said that, June in New Zealand was the coldest on record to compare with the hottest summer in England. New Plymouth has a great foreshore walk which is about 6km and good for all users. You have a view of the sea on one side and Mt Taranaki, when it came out of the clouds, on the other. My camera was clicking most of the way.
I am now in Hamilton ready for the final 100 or so km to Auckland tomorrow and my flight to Santiago. I will be off early on Saturday for my ski trip. More anon.
From Akaroa I had a leisurely drive to Christchurch where I spent a couple of days. Easy city to walk around and chill out. Then it was off to Timaru where I spent a couple of days overlooking Caroline Bay. Beautiful views from my motel view of the mountains and the sea but the bay was grey shingle and grey sand and did not look great. Then the tourist town of Kaikoura with the Kaikoura mountains in the background. I went on a whale watching tour and gave up counting after 6. 2-3 sperm whales are the norm apparently at this time of the year. I have photos of course of tails and backs of whales but these will have to wait until I can find an internet cafe to resize them.
The drive up the east coast is as scenic as the west. I was also pleased to see some early lambs in the fields, having missed the spring in UK. There was also a lone hare gambolling in one of the fields as I passed by. Very easy driving here as usually I was the only one on the road.
After Kaikoura, I made my way to Picton and stayed overnight to wait for the ferry. Nothing in Picton but I enjoyed my visit to the aquariam. I learnt alot about the New Zealand seahorses, cute creatures. The ferry crossing was quite bad but luckily Boots sea sickness tablets work. Such a difference from my crossing over in June. There were a lot of people making use of the bags provided. Picked up my rental car and found my way to Howard and Robin's flat and availed myself of their hospitality once again. On Sunday I visted with my second cousin Jonathan, Mila and their daughter Oriana. We had a lovely walk along Lyall Bay in glorious sunshine.
I drove to Greytown in the late afternoon and paid a visit to the chocolate shop which I was recommended by someone in Napier. He obviously had not been to the shop in Napier as that was much better. However, I still managed to purchase something to eat! I have made my way around the west coast of the north island in the last few days. The glorious sunshine and warmth has continued. New Plymouth where I stayed for a couple of days was 17 degrees. How about that in the middle of winter. Having said that, June in New Zealand was the coldest on record to compare with the hottest summer in England. New Plymouth has a great foreshore walk which is about 6km and good for all users. You have a view of the sea on one side and Mt Taranaki, when it came out of the clouds, on the other. My camera was clicking most of the way.
I am now in Hamilton ready for the final 100 or so km to Auckland tomorrow and my flight to Santiago. I will be off early on Saturday for my ski trip. More anon.
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