Kaikoura road

...that sense of freedom that only the open road can provide. 

If you click on the pic, it'll come up larger

On the road coming in to Kaikoura from the south

Kaikoura farmland

Kaikoura Farmland with tractor

Moving inland a bit from coastal Kaikoura, I spent a bit of time photographing some of the farms around the area. There was something about this tractor in a field that just appealed to me.

I did find it interesting that many of the early settlers to Kaikoura were offered "cheap" land in exchange for digging trenches to drain away the water from the 'flat marshlands'. 

Their efforts so many years ago still providing access...

Sunshine on the water

I've got two choices here since I don't know which one I prefer.

This one zoomed in a little bit...

sunlight on water

There's something about sunlight reflecting off water that I find quite soothing.

Heck! John Denver dedicated a whole song to it...

These photo's were taken on the Peninsula Walkway near the seal colony

travelling muso's

hitch hiking musicians

We first saw these musician guys hitchhiking north of Christchurch - when one of them had their hat blown away when a big truck passed by them at State Highway speed. 

It looked quite comical.

After the event - as I looked in my rear view mirror, I saw the guy pick up his hat and dust it off.

We were relieved to find they had made it to Kaikoura, none the worse for wear. 

My camera wasn't on the correct ISO at the time, since I was photographing a dog (that photo to appear at another time) - so this pic is a bit blurred (such is the nature of candid photography - especially of people), but I like the quirkiness of it. 

I hope they made it safely to their final destination. 

We weren't going north that day otherwise would've offered a ride...

Sunlight looking like dust

This was taken from the Kaikoura lookout - on zoom.
It kind of reminded me of an 80's painting with layered hills & ranges, and silhouetted trees.
I wouldn't ordinarily associate this view with Kaikoura - but it is - looking inland...

Kaikoura mountains inland

Kaikoura cemetery and gravestones

I don't often frequent graveyards - especially with my camera, but this day was different.
The light of the late afternoon sun was at just the right angle and the view from where I took the pic of the gravestones out towards the ranges - over the sea seemed like an OK thing to do.

gravestones - Kaikoura cemetary

The 'dearly departed' of Kaikoura must have some of the best views in town.

view over Kaikoura from cemetary

Kaikoura cemetery

Paratitahi Tunnel

Paratitahi Tunnel N0.2

on the southern coastal road of Kaikoura at Pinnacle Rock, you will find these tunnels.

this is Paratitahi Tunnel N0.2



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Kaikoura - Seal colony

You can't really VISIT Kaikoura without at least taking the short drive out to the seal colony.
I like wandering over the flat rocks looking at all the minuscule sea life that abounds in the cracks and 'holes' of the rocks - even more perfect on a sunny day when most people are doing that thing called work.

You might even get lucky and actually see seals basking on some rocks. Just don't venture too close...

NZ fur seal - Kaikoura seal colony

Kaikoura dramatic skies

I always like how the skies over this part of the world change dramatically.
It was taken after I took the photo of the sculpture where the folk are looking skyward.

Unfortunately I didn't think at the time to get both sculpture and sky in the same pic - sometimes happens when one is on limited time....

dramatic clouds over Kaikoura

wild skies over Kaikoura

Beach sculpture Kaikoura

beach sculpture Kaikoura - by Gabrielle Young

I'm fascinated by some of the large sculptures that dot the New Zealand landscape.
I don't recall there being a plaque to describe this work (usually I photograph the plaques separately so I have a record of the work to explain to others) but will hunt out some details and put them on here later.

As far as I do know, they are carved out of macrocapa stumps with a chainsaw...

June 2011 update:
Thanks to "The Stone Guy", this is what he says...

That sculpture was by Gabrielle Young.
She's done a lot of funky work around Kaikoura.

Kaikoura - eating out - Bayside Blue Café

Sadly, I heard this place is no longer operating. So, good for us that we enjoyed it whilst we could...

On the road, you gotta eat... Sometimes average take aways - sometimes not.

monkfish on a plate

This was Monk fish done up quite nicely. Good wine selection at Bayside Blue Café too

Kaikoura - eating out

ice cream, wafer with lavender

These were the puddings served at Bayside Blue Café.
Very nice

Amaretto, coffee and ice cream with wafer - pudding 

Ok, here's a wee tip in case you ever get served something like this and think, "What the hell do I do with it?"
First - pour the espresso shot over the ice cream
Second - pour the shot of Amaretto liqueur in as well

either - or - just enjoy it

then indulge with the spoon that is provided
or be real cool and confidently scoop some of the ice cream off with the biscuit wafer as if it's something you do every day.

And it's perfectly ok to drink what's left of the mixture as if you were drinking from a cup/mug

Kaikoura Lookout towards the west

I'm back in Kaikoura for a fleeting visit and this was the view that greeted me on my arrival...

Goose Bay - Kaikoura

This was taken at the Kaikoura Lookout - looking west from the lookout over towards Goose Bay in the late afternoon.