Day 13, March 28, 2016

This was the day we left Blenheim, and the Hunters, behind and headed further south. We got a late start out of the gate but finally said our goodbyes and got on the road. Tony and Mason drove along with us for the first hour of the trip. There was a seal colony that Tony wanted to show us and they drove that far with us.

There was not a lot of parking here and we had to cross the highway, dodging cars, to get this far.

We were really glad Tony brought us because we probably would have blown right past it on our own.

The coast as we headed south. It was an overcast day.

The seal pups swim up a creek to play in a pool at the food of a waterfall.

The waterfall with the seal pups frolicking in their pool.

We reluctantly left the seal pups and drove a couple more miles down the road to the main colony.

Seals on the rocks. They smelled like hobos.

Owyn and mama posing with the sea hobos.

This was where we finally had to say goodbye to Tony and Mason. Mason and Owyn were both sad at the parting but Mason perked up a little bit when Tony told him he could play with the toys at our house in a year when they move back.

Rhys, Owyn, Owyn's shadow.

From here we drove into Kaikoura for lunch. This is a big whale tour site, though we didn't do that. We just got some pizza, bought a few souvenirs and got back on the road to Hanmer Springs, our next stop.

The road to Hanmer is very curvey and very steep with a whole lot of the one lane bridges the Kiwis are so fond of. Tracy did not like it. The boys slept. The scenery was spectacular.

The Hanmer river.

We arrived in Hanmer Springs and found our hotel. It was about 500 meters from the hot springs. We changed over and went for a soak/swim/layout.

The water slides in the back, lazy river and big family pool in the foreground.

Kiddy play area. Still a good chance of pace for the boys.

After a couple hours of swimming we got dinner at the local Irish pub and went back to the room for an early bed.