the day starts with sunshine so we are all pretty pumped up and after some morning chores we head to the dolphin tour centre….they are booked solid but put us on a waiting list….we head to the peninsula track for a long beautiful walk around the upper level of the peninsula…..the area is beautiful - mountains in the background, beautiful ocean vistas and lots of flora and fauna….the sun is shining and at the start of the walk we get a phone call from the dolphin tour with a 5:30AM opening for the 4 of us tomorrow morning….things are looking up……the walk is indescribable…..this is another showcase of incredible, natural beauty of all kinds……we head back to our unit and try to get to bed early….we have to be at the tour centre at 5:05AM……looks like we’ll see a beautiful Kiwi sunrise - with any luck…..
our morning walk starts with a visit from a cranky looking gannet.....
we press on, undaunted.....the sun is too beautiful to let one cranky gannet spoil our day......
white limestone is almost blinding in the sun.....
hunting for breakfast.......
the norfolk pine shot that has been missing the last couple of blogs........
the local seal colony provides a humorous element to our sunny hike.......
yes, that is a seal behind the ladies......
yes, the seal decided that they did not want to be quite that close to gawking humans........
the north bay in the distance........
Whaler's Bay from the top of the peninsula.....
multi coloured shoals everywhere.....white limestone beaches shape the coves........
the trail is friendly and the colours are vibrant......
kind of like a Salvador Dali painting without the melting watch!!
were you just looking for a watch??....
the south end of the peninsula and its' one dramatic tree......very surreal......
happy hikers, I tell ya!!
some pictures take themselves.......
the south bay in the distance.....3 little maids heading towards it......
a little climb over the farmer's fence......
the community of South Bay....sitting out on this very low peninsula (really more like a shoal) looking very vulnerable to any tsunami like activity.......the south end of the Kaikoura Peninsula sits behind South Bay.......tomorrow, we will boat to the other side of South Bay to look for dusky dolphins........
but today, the girls have this Maori god's butt on their minds!! (except for Linda of course - - - yea right!)
for those that wish to enter or to leave....you must pass through this guardian of all worlds......
our hike home is on a trail called Tom's Track and it is dedicated to this incredible man.......
before we head to bed - after all we have a 4:00AM start - we are treated to a truly extraordinary Kiwi light show.....ENJOY!
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