Location: Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand
Steps: 25,041 (how crazy is that?)
Km walked: 10 km
Km biked: 12 km
Whenever I speak to someone back home about my time in New Zealand, inevitably the following questions comes up: Is New Zealand as beautiful as everyone says? Well, I’ll admit, I struggled with the answer. New Zealand was beautiful and I was thoroughly enjoying exploring the various cities. However, I constantly found myself comparing it to other countries. “Oh, that beautiful trail in the pine trees, that looks just like Canada”. “Those rolling green hills over there? Well they were bigger and greener in Ireland”. And so on it went. I started feeling bad, perhaps I wasn’t given the country a fair chance? After all, I had been exceptionally spoiled by visiting some pretty epic places up until now (I ❤︎ Switzerland). However, that all changed once I got to Kaikoura, a quaint seaside town on the east coast. The “town” is basically one long street that borders the sea, small shops and restaurants crowded together.
The hostel I was staying in provided free bikes: score! It made for an easier, albeit not super comfortable way to explore the city.
Kaikoura is a marine rich destination. There’s whale & dolphin watching, a seal colony within walking distance and the perfect place to spot albatross birds. On a beautifully sunny day, I woke up nice and early and headed out to walk along the Kaikoura peninsula, with the intention to spot some famous fur seals. An 8km round trip walk. And the best part? The scenery! It was quite simply, breathtaking. I quickly felt that this was the New Zealand landscape I had been waiting to discover.
The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a beautifully maintained easy path along the water, dotted with beaches, board walks and scenic spots.
Can’t think of a better way to spend some time, then sitting by the water
Boardwalk section of the walkway
Kaikoura was hit especially hard by a major earthquake in 2016. The sea floor rose about 2 feet, causing large rocks to jut out through the sea.
The highlight of the walk is Point Kean and its resident seal colony. Large bulls can be seen right off the parking lot. I actually almost stepped on one! I was about 2 feet way from stepping down from the boardwalk when a few people caught my attention and signalled that a seal was just at the base of the stairs.
A few feet from the parking is a long stretch of rocks, where I found a few seals lazily stretched out over boulders. What a life!
You’re meant to keep your distance, however its evident that even from afar, the seals are the cutest things ever! 
Ah, to be a seal! Nothing better than stretching out, soaking up the sun on a warm day.
I returned to my hostel shortly after as it was ‘free pancake Sunday’ and my hunger was getting the best of me. Once I’d filled up on delicious (and did I mention free?) pancakes and coffee, I grabbed a bike (an actual, real, fairly modern one this time) and headed back out to the seal colony. While chatting with fellow travellers, I had discovered that the bulk of the colony is a further 1-2km out, past the parking lot. I had apparently only scratched the surface!
Boy, was I not disappointed! There was at least 1-2 dozen seals easily visible, some almost snuck up on you, hidden so well amongst the rocks.
As I headed back home after a long, yet successful day, I paused again by the ocean, just for a little while. After all, I am on vacation….!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there’s something about the water. I could get lost in this blue all day…