Tramping in Kaikoura

 We had cereal and fruit for breakfast this morning with and awesome view of the southern end of the New Zealand Alps.  This view has the Pacific Ocean in the foreground and everything was clear and beautiful.

We were disappointed this morning that our whaling exploration was cancelled due to the high winds.  So as an alternative we did a little shopping and then took a trek. 

 We found a jewelry factory that made New Zealand unique pieces out of paua shell and whale bone.  It was fascinating to see all the beautiful things that they made and know that the materials, design, and craftsmanship were all local.  It is illegal to kill whales in New Zealand, but they have a supply of whale bones over time from stranded animals who die on the coast.  They had whale carvers who made jewelry pieces in Maori motifs.  We bought this one, which is a "hook" motif with the meaning of leadership and opportunity.  They also had beautiful pendants made from Pauo, the ocean mother of pearl shell, New Zealand Abalone. 

After our jewelry studying, we took a trek for one and a half miles on a trail along the cliffs of the peninsula. After we climbed the first hill, we found a locked gate (obviously keeping the sheep in), however there was a clever double step built into the fence to help walkers along there way.  I guess the sheep couldn't figure this one out!


 There were beautiful views all along the way of the limestone cliffs and the shoal rocks on the beach below. 

The trail that  ran along the side of farm land with sheep, of course, was clear but also marked with interesting post markers designed with Maori art. 

There was a colony of fur seals living on the rock shelf jutting out into the bay.  They were not very energetic and we never saw them in the water. However we did find one straddling the wooden boardwalk when we returned from our walk.

I did find some very unusual sea shells while climbing around on the rocks.  When I get home I am going to try to identify them. 

After our walk, we drive back down the Point Road to a world famous, roadside barbeque.  Of course they sold crawfish, so Tom and I shared one.

Actually the crayfish was very good and the ambiance was terrific.
 

There was also a very interesting World War I memorial park on the Point Road.  Since timber was scarce during WWI, there was a woman in Kaikoura who used whale bones to create an arched walkway through the park.  Strangely beautiful and memorial.