Kaikoura

    Kaikoura is the Maori word for "meal of crayfish" which shows the importance of the Sea in this quaint little town.  It has been nicknamed "Close to Nature"
Accommodations:We stayed at the Panorama Motel.  The rooms resembled what Americans would consider condos.

Getting There:

  *

   *
                                     After the boat ride we took a break in Picton.
                        This was some of the nicest weather we saw in New Zealand.
  

    Along the way to Kaikoura the terrain changed dramatically.  Here we stopped to see some sea lions soaking up the sun on the shore.
   * 
 


 

Landscape:

Being along the sea this evening was nothing to complain about.  The sunset was very peaceful.
   *

  

   *  
Whale watching:

This is one of the main attractions of Kaikoura.  Mostly you will see sperm whales, orca, and several dolphin species.  The reason for such a diverse maine life is because of the deep water drops off and canyons that occur within the waters there.

 

 

Here are a few of the Whale shots we were able to obtain.

 





  *

*
 



Some links of interest:
 Picton
 Whale Watch Company
 Virtual Kaikoura
 Kaikoura Trails
 http://www.kaikoura.co.nz/