The Monsters update

I went kayaking to see seals last Friday. I was quite nervous because i was doing something new on my own. My expectations was that i would see lots and lots of seals swimming around and having fun. I met the guide at 12.30 and we drove a short distance to the south bay. The water seemed quite calm. Before we got into the Kayak we had to get geared up and also i had to get speedy paddling lessons. The gear included wearing a psray skirt, this keeps you in the baot and dry ( apparanately), next was a bright orange rain top and finally the life jacket. I certainly wasnt a pretty site after gearing up. I had to help bring the Kayak into the sea ( it was very heavy) i just about managed. Then i popped in the front seat and the guide popped in the back - he was in charge of the rudder and that is why he sat in the back. Off we went, after about 3 strokes my arms were in bits but i battled on. We got quite close to a couple of seals sitting on the rocks sun bathing and we saw lots of gulls. we were out on the water for about an hour. I really really enjoyed it and am thinking of taking it up when i get home. Unfortunately i didnt see lots and lots of seals.

We had our final dinner in the White Morph restuarant that night - however unfortunately due to eating our lunch at 4.00 we werent that hungry.

We were sad leaving Kaikoura and the White Morph - we had a good time there.

On Saturday we moved on to Nelson. It is a city with nothing to recommend it. WE spent ages walking aroung looking for a Catholic Church for Sunday Mass. We met two very nice ladies who helped us out. After that we walked the long way back to the motel. It was quite nice. We ordered pizza for dinner and watched James Bond. There was nothing else on.

We went to mass on Sunday and unluckily it was First Holy Communcion (as well as mass).

After Mass we moved onto Westport. Well this was truly a ghost town and was not a good place to be. However we stayed one night in a below average motel (the bathroom was really bad) and we left very qucikly the next day.

On our way to Hokikati we stopped to see blowholes and pancake rock. The day was lovely and the scenery was fantastic. We had made lunch that morning so we went back to the car and collected it. It was yum. We then played some Brain Train and guess what i am aged 20. Yeah.

After that we stayed in Hokitati. Again not a good place. We went to the local bar for food - i got tempura veg which i thought we lightly buttered veg ... but no they were lighted battered. I had to get choclate after that. The went to beach and touched the tasmanian see. then back to the motel.

We left the motel and arrived in Franz Josef and that is the story so far.......