To PictonOct 29, 2005
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Hanmer Springs to Picton - 285 KM - 10/29/05
Today we finished exiting the lower levels of the Southern Alps to Highway 1 which runs north/south along the Eastern Coastline. There were two scenic drive options for reaching the coast. We chose the one that would give us more coastal views enroute to Picton. We made the first route turn in good shape. Then my navigational system malfunctioned. Should have known. It never works properly before 10 am and only then if it has been charged with a full pot of very strong coffee. As I drove along an arrow-straight road, going in the wrong direction very fast, it finally dawned on me that the voice of the navigation system was giving me "Road Hazard" 35 km curve, One lane bridge, etc. Since none of those had existed for at least 25 km, I made the brilliant deduction that we were not where we thought we were. At least the return to route was fast!
The scenic drive was, as evidenced from the photos. One bonus of being lost was the two hares I was able to photograph as I reviewed the route. I tried to photograph a bird that looked like a goldfinch, but only got fuzzy yellow when the camera focused on a tree about 10 feet beyond it. Still have to learn the finer points of the Minolta 7D.
The costal portion had a series of seal colonies. At Kaikoura we also encountered divers seeking the local "crayfish", the equavilent of our Florida lobster. We saw one who had a nice catch of butterfish (a prime fish according to the guidebook), abalone, and at least two nice size crayfish. They were snorkeling for them as the rules preclude use of scuba gear. The one I photographed in the water stayed as shown for the entire time I was there, just fins and tip of snorkel showing. Air tanks really didn't appear to be needed as the water was very shallow.
Since this was a prime lobster site we decided to sample the catch for lunch. Expensive and bad idea. The lobster was pre-cooked, cold, and tough. We had considered buying live ones at the wharf, but the store was closed. It's Saturday here.
Passed another seal colony right along the road, closer in, and a lot more active.
We also ran into the third group of American Caravanners, going in the opposite direction. The Adventure Caravan folks had about 12 rigs just like ours. They apparently did the North Island first and are headed South. In our Caravan Park tonight we also have the Tracks to Adventure group with 17 MH's. We have 21. Maui seems to have the market sewed up. We've spotted at least a half dozen rental company units in sizeable quantities everywhere we've gone. The Tracks group seems to have an almost identical itenary to ours, but usually one day off.
Tomorrow both groups catch different ferrys to Wellington on the North Island.
