Life is not measured ....

Kaikoura and Nelson

With mum and dad here and now well into the new year, we thought we’d take the opportunity to show them (and discover ourselves) a bit more of NZ. Ben was busy with work (and before you feel too sorry for him – he does get his chance in a couple of weeks) so the rest of us piled up the car and set for a few days taking in the north part of the south island. And yes, it was packed in at the usual Jenkins pace (mum and dad were pleased to get back to Christchurch for the rest!)

Our first stop was Kaikoura, about 3 hours north of here, the last half hour as you approach is along the rugged coast. Kaikoura itself is located on a rocky peninsula and the waters off the peninsula provide an ideal habitat for marine mammals and seabirds.


We arrived early afternoon and home for the next two days was an apartment overlooking the waterfront, as we sat on the balcony for dinner the first evening a mountain peak poked its head through the cloud. Although we had been to Kaikoura once before, that day had also been overcast and so the first view of the Kaikoura ranges, the peaks dusted with snow was pretty amazing.

The following morning we went down to the seal colony and the kids and I went for what we thought was a short sharp 45 minute walk round the coastline …. mum and dad took the car round to south beach where we were to meet up, and waited … and waited. The walk was interesting, you start on the rocks and later see sheep on the scrubland, then it is back to clambering on the rocks before finally reaching the muddy flats. We ran into plenty of seals (almost literally as we rounded one of the corners) and got “chased” by an oyster catcher (noisy, screechy birds that gave us all a bit of a fright). You can only do the walk at low tide and two hours after setting off, and just before mum called out a search party, we appeared round the corner.

Kaikoura is well known as a place for whale watching and this is definitely on our wish list to do, but it wasn’t going to be this time as the boats were fully booked on what was the first sunny day in a week (summer here, very much like the UK – unpredictable!). Instead we opted for an afternoon out fishing with the owner of our apartment. We caught loads of fish, mainly reef snapper and even a barracuda. It was great fun and provided a lovely dinner. Graeme also gave us three crayfish which we enjoyed as a picnic the next day. In Maori legend, Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself whilst he “fished-up” the North Island. The Maori name Kaikoura translates to “meal of crayfish” (Kai – food, koura – crayfish).

Kaikoura Photos

The next day we left Kaikoura and drove towards Nelson and the Harbourside Lodge, which was to be our base for the next four days. From here we were able to explore most of the region. On the way up we passed through Marlborough and Blenheim, the wine regions and stopped at Havelock where we found a nice spot for lunch.

We started with a day out in the Abel Tasman national park, the smallest national park in NZ most of which can only be reached by sea. The morning was spent on a catamaran sailing up the coastline and we then had the afternoon on the beach at Anchorage Bay before returning by water taxi.


The next day we spent exploring Nelson, not a huge town but we did find the oldest preserved street in NZ – very quaint except for the modern cars parked outside!

The following day we took another long drive, this time towards Golden Bay. A long windy drive took us to the top of Takaka Hill with beautiful views and the Ngarua caves cut out of the limestone rock which covers this region. On the way down to the beach we did briefly stopped at the Waikoropupu Springs. Louise and Daniel loved the beach, covering themselves in mud and playing on their boogie boards ... another great day.

Nelson Photos

Alas time to head back to Christchurch, a six hour drive so we made it interesting and drove back a different way taking in the Nelson Lakes, the Buller Gorge where we walked across the swingbridge and came back across on the comet line (grandad looks like he is having a great time, Daniel looks petrified – although afterwards said it was “freaky” – which I think is good!). The drive follows the length of the Buller river for ages and then it is through the Southern Alps via the Lewis Pass. Our final stop of the day was at Hamner Springs where were able to have a swim in the hot pools – grandad practically had to be dragged out!

We had travelled 1400km in 6 days and did loads. Louise and Daniel travelled fantastically well – Daniel has discovered Top Trumps in a big way so that kept him and usually grandma pretty well occupied on the long drives and they both enjoyed the many CD stories that we have (although if I have to listen to Horrid Henry one more time, I may just scream!).

So back to Christchurch for mum and dad’s last few days and a bit of peace? No chance – Louise wants to show them her horseriding and Daniel has his birthday sleepover to look forward to!

Other photos from mum and dad's visit

posted by Sharon, Ben, Louise and Daniel @ 10:02 am