Child of the Planet

Continuing the write up on my trip to New Zealand. I kept forgetting I was in an other country, this seaside town Kaidoura Especially Reminds me of Oz. Exit the train station and walk to the right, and the road becomes a wide highway lined with chain hotels and eateries (the worst of Oz.) But hang a left, walk through the town, and down the tree lined esplanade beach road, past tiny holiday batches (N.Z. for cottage,) and lapping surf (the best of Oz.) Originally established as a whaling town, but now the locals make more cash from whale watching and other touristy type activities such as fishing expeditions and scuba diving. Got sunburnt a second time. I keep forgetting that N.Z. has less ozone layer then Australia. There is also a Huge blister on my foot from all the ‘tramping’ (N.Z. for walking around) that I’ve been doing.

Last of the seal videos and I’m struck by how much seals reminded me of dogs.

This guy (or could be a girl) was basking in the sun. Humans are required to give the seals about ten meters of personal space and all of these videos were shot with a 10x zoom.

While I was staying in Kaikoura, I spent a bit of time down at the seal colonies. Two seals have a bit of a disagreement.

While I was staying in Kaikoura, I spent a bit of time down at the seal colonies. This video is of the little guys frolicking in the water.

You’ve seen the stills. Now experience the colour, movement, and sounds of the Oz Day Antique Car Show (wish I could bring you the smells too.) Lot’s of people, and music, and there was a fly past by one of Australia’s three jet fighters (I think that only one can fly at any one time.) Music clip to follow in a couple of days.

...up to Wellington where I was going to spend Christmas. I boarded the TranzCoastal train at seven the next morning. Was impressed to see that a free shuttle bus service was doing the rounds of the tourist accommodations, and picked me up from the hostel. Found my seat and was chatting with a couple of locals, and we all agreed that (despite the odd shuttle bus) N.Z. isn't a cheap country to travel in (well possibly it is if you travelling with British pounds or Euros.) I had some friends who decided not to hire a camper van (really popular way for people to travel around this country) this year, cause once the numbers were added up, a visit turned out to be too expensive. The locals I was chatting to wanted to hire a camper and drive around the islands, but they found it was cheaper to ‘jump the ditch’ and visit OZ instead.