Hello again,
After my time in Picton and comming do close to swimming with dolphins, it was time to move on to my final destination. Christchurch.
But yet again, the journey there was better than the actual place. The drive from Picton to Christchurch is about 336km and takes 4 hours and 23 minutes...according to google.
But this was another jaw dropping roadtrip which I simply didn't expect. How you ask? Well...
As I left Picton behind, there were still some great views of the sounds. It was a sunny day too so I saw alot of sailing boats out on the water.
Not long after, I drove round a bend to see this:
Another incredible view and best of all, not a single tourist bus in sight.
Then something really odd happened. I was driving along admiring the small bays (obviously driving so couldn't take pictures) when all of a sudden I came to a roadworks with a red light.
Now back home this is the worst most annoying experience ever. There's never anyone working and you just sit there for no reason staring at the light since there's nothing better to look at. But this was different, on my left was a lovely small bay with the sound of the tide rolling ocer the stoney beach and on my right...
A house...but wait, what's that in the driveway? A bird? Not just any bird, it's an Peackock! It was just next to me strolling along the side of the road before wandering into someones drive. (When i took the picture). Was it their pet? Was it wild? I had no idea but it felt odd knowing that I'd just seen something up closer than I ever will in a zoo whilst waiting for a roadwork traffic light to change! Only in New Zealand.
From here to well, the next town I guess, the road was horrible. You know when a road has just been surfaced and it's all gravel? There's no lines, there's no tarmack or asphalt. It's the only time ever where you need to go SLOWER than the speed limit in fear of the stones bouncing up and chipping the paint or the windscreen. Now imagine instead of them using a roller (to flatten the road) they used a tank. Now times that by 5 and that's what it was like.
Not to mention I was driving a rental car which they expected to arrive in mint condition. I was in one of the worst cars for the job too, a sport. Low suspension, alloys, big wheels, body kit, metalic paint. 🤦🏻♂️
I crept along at about 10kmph for what felt like forever untill the road finally returned to normal and view opened up the next town where I'd be staying.
After spending a night in what I think was the town of Blenheim, I continued my journey towards Christchurch but had to stop at the amazing views along the way.
The road went back inland a little bit and the smooth hills reminded me of one of my favourite roads in the north Island. Route 4 on the way to Whanganui.
Then the hills got flatter and a dry bank ran alongside the road.
Suddenly, in the distance I saw the bluest of blue seas and unknowingly one of the best ocean road experiences if my life!
I drove round the bend and...
I don't think I've seen anything like it. Sure the coral reefs are a turquoise colour but that's only in the shallows. This stretched as far as the horizon.
As I drove along every now and then I'd see a humpback whale jump out and body slam the water in the distance. It was as if I was in a videogame and someone had programmed it to happen. Just didn't seem real. I guess I was extremely fortunate to have everything look so amazing that day.
Not too long before I visited, there was apparently an earthquake in this area and caused the land to rise above sea level. I assume all those rocks used to be underwarer judging from the colour of them.
You can't really tell from the picture but standing there you just feel the rocks are out of place, espeically with the bench nearby.
I continued on to a traffic jam of roadworks. Work was still being xarried out on the roads and surrounding area to fix the damage the earthquake had caused.
Cones are never a good sign
Kaikoura
This place is an absolute gem to visit. Not only is it a spectacular view and awesome place to stop and have a snack/rest like I did but there is also a popular spot nearby. I'll get to that in a minute.
Sadly this is also where I said goodbye to my $2 sunglasses from Australia. I was stupid enough to dive through a wave to cool down and in the process lost them. The sand was stoney and the water was murkey due to the current. You c
Wouldn't think it but the underwater current here was quite strong.
You can see again here what the earthquake did to the land.
But what's this?
It's a sea lion!
Kaikoura happens to be home to colony of sea lions and they don't seem to mind spectators.
Appart from Seaworld when I was little, I'd never seen one before.
Video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KvZjivCaDNZW6dKR9
At first I didn't see that many but they kept popping out the sea randomly and flopping onto the rocks.
I try to be as repectful as I can when it comes to wild animals and keep my distance so as not to spook them.
I took this picture not only because I thought it looked good but because it shows just how close some people got to get photos, even with a telescopic lense.
But it turns out, sometimes you literally can't help but get close. I nearly accidently stepped on this guy!
Here he is again in the background. Just minding his own buiseness bathing in the cracks of the rock.
The experince of seeing these animals combined with the view of the mountains made for a really amazing experience.
can you spot the sea lion? :-)
I could of stayed here for hours but the sun was going down and I still had to get to Christchurch to deliver the car.
What a day though!
Unfortunately my time in Christchurch simply couldn't come close to this...or could it.
Wonderful photos and a fascinating write-up about your journey! I love seeing parts of the world I'll never have a chance to visit in-person! 🙂
Looks incredible :) so excited to get back on the road !!! X gf x
New Zealand looks so peaceful. One day i'll have to cross the tasman and make it over.
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Looks incredible :) so excited to get back on the road !!! X gf x
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