Saying goodbye to New Zealand... with animals

We have spent our last two nights in New Zealand staying in Kaikoura. Unfortunately the weather's been very cloudy but it hasn't rained so it could be worse.

This morning we checked out of our hostel- the fish tank lodge as it was only free for one night and so we have moved to the Adelphi which is a creepy place that we think may well be haunted.

We had booked a horse trek for this afternoon and had some time to kill this morning so we decided to go and check out the seal colony. It was only about a forty minute walk until we saw our first seals lounging about. They were so close to us especially this one which was down in the grass only a couple of metres away. We got our cameras out and Gwend went to take a photo with me and the seal. She kept saying "go a bit closer" and I was edging over thinking nothing of it. That was until it flopped round and started baring its (huge) teeth, growling at me and flapping slowly towards me.... of course I ran for my life. This was all much to the amusement of Gwenda and the other couple watching us. After that I kept my distance using my zoom to take photos of them instead.

Gwenda said it was probably just as quick to keep walking the loop back to town as it would have been to go back the way we came (she is a liar). It was a really pretty walk along the coast but I was shattered when we got back. No rest for the wicked though and we were soon jumping on a pair of horses.

My horse was called Prince and Gwenda's- The Doctor. It was a pretty quiet trek and I was slightly disappointed we didn't do any more than a trot. Although when I was bouncing around in the saddle I was thinking that after having not ridden for six years maybe it isn't quite like "riding a bike". 

We had a good last day in Kaikoura, waiting for our coach to Christchurch airport, as the sun finally came out. It was still really cold and windy on the beach but we discovered that if we lay down the wind didn't catch us and it was boiling. This was quite funny because we were sunbathing in next to nothing and there were people walking past in coats and hoodies probably thinking we were insane. 

I am GUTTED to leave New Zealand but looking forward to Australia which is our next stop. New Zealand was so much more than I ever thought it would be and I am so glad we decided to come. I will definitely be coming back!