Day 2.5

As we continue on down the east coast towards our lodging in Ashburton, the road takes us along the coast to the Kaikoura Peninsula. When I say along the coast, I mean right on the coast.  It is amazing to us how isolated and uninhabited much of the coastlines in this country are.

One of the things you have to enjoy about New Zealand is the Kiwi sense of humor.  I would submit that many of the weather folks in the US would be well served by adopting a similar weather prognostication system.

As we approach Kaikoura, we begin to see many of the New Zealand fur seal colonies that are so prevalent around the South Island.  In the late 1800's and early 1900's they were hunted to near extinction, as the European fashionistas clamored for their fur as hats and other garb.  Thankfully, they have come back strong and healthy.

The remainder of the day was spent crossing the Canterbury Plains.  It is a major agricultural area, think Kansas, that is very flat and reminds one of the Great Plains of the US.  Off to the west, their are vistas of the distant mountains.  Other than that, can you say B-O-R-I-N-G!

We'll set off tomorrow up through the mountains and into Queenstown.