We were woken early the following morning by the sun streaming through the big picture window in the bedroom. There were no curtains at this window but we didn't need them. The glass was slightly tinted and we were high enough up the hill that nobody could see in (which is a good job, the sight of me bare arsed may offend the sensibilities).

We had a leisurely breakfast on the deck, did some washing and decided to venture out in the car to a small town further around the coast. Nearing lunch time, we jumped into the car and drove to Mapua. This place was picture postcard perfect on a sunny day. A small town with a few little shops, art gallery and a couple of restaurants on the wharf. It was really peaceful and beautiful.
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lettie

The following morning we were off again. We said goodbye to Kaikoura and believe me, I was sorry to leave this place. We drove North as we made our way to Nelson. We had decided to go this way instead of cutting through inland because we wanted to stop for a late breakfast/early lunch at a place we'd found 3 years earlier.

This place is called The Store and is at a small village called Kekerengu. It is probably one of the most scenic places I've ever eaten in, and to think...... 3 years ago we stopped here by accident because I needed the loo. We ended up eating here in the garden at the back and we were smitten with the surroundings. Kekerengu is a tiny place on the main highway, blink and you've missed it. I kept my eyes peeled...

lettie

We woke up the following morning and I threw open the patio doors to look out at the sea. The smell of the sea in Kaikoura is amazing, it's so strong, it invades your nostrils and you cannot mistake where you are. We had a quick breakfast and headed out to explore. It was a sunny day, barely a cloud in the sky, and very warm. We walked away from the town and in the general direction of the Point Kean Seal colony.

I wanted to see some seals and very much hoped that they would be there. At certain times of the day, the seals actually come on to the small car pak at Point Kean. Today, there were a couple of them basking on a rock just off the Point. I managed to get a photo of them just lying there sunning themselves. Leading away...

lettie

We awoke the following morning and got the rest of our stuff together. After slapping on the suncream, we set off to pick up our new hire car. This was a much newer car than the one we'd ended up with in Auckland and I was glad of it......... we were in for a hilly drive.

We were driving up the coast to spend a couple of nights in Kaikoura, but had decided to go inland first and have some lunch in Hanmer Springs. When we booked our accommodations, it had been a toss up between 2 nights at Kaikoura or 2 nights at Hanmer, we decided that Hanmer was still close enough for a quick lunch stop.

Situated about 90 minutes drive North of Christchurch, Hanmer Springs is set amongst forest and mountains. There's plenty of...

lettie

We went to bed on our first night at the Hotel So. Lordy!! What a comfy bed. Figuring that I may have problems getting up in the morning, I decided to tinker with the panel of knobs and buttons on the wall and set the alarm. This alarm was fabulous, it didn't blast us out of bed with a foghorn-like sound like my alarm at home. It turned on a yellow light over the bed, which over 5 minutes grows brighter, like sunlight. After another 5 minutes you then get mood music, the sound of waves lapping on the seashore. It is supposed to wake you up more naturally so that you don't feel stressed. I have to say, it works...

We went out for breakfast and then stocked up on provisions for the cricket game at Jade Stadium that afternoon....

lettie