Lazy start to this morning. Very pleasant watching the sun rise through the windows over the Kaikoura Bay.
Lovely breakfast again this morning and fresh coffee. Packed and on our way - heading to Blenheim then via the coastal road to Picton. Stopped at the Oahu Seal Sanctuary on the coast and had a lovely photo shoot with the seals.
Off to Blenheim, thought it would be a lovely quaint town in the middle of wine district but no it was not very nice, very industrial and more a support town for the wine district so we didn't stop we just passed on through. Up to Raratori and back to the coast and took the "scenic route", the sign said that we needed to allow 1.15 hours to get to Picton, it took us over 2 hours to go up and down the narrow (sometimes gravel) road in and out of the sounds (or bays). The views were beautiful but the driving was hard work.
No lunch we arrived in Picton at 2:30pm, what a surprise to see the huge Marlborough Sound and the lovely water. Found the hotel but couldn't check in so off into town (a very short walk) for lunch, soup for me and hommous for Bert.
Long story, we visited tourist centre and then walked back and checked in. Beautiful room, glass of wine (I did) and nibbles on arrival and told they will move us upstairs to a bigger suit tomorrow for the other 2 nights we are here. Our current room is on the street level and we can hear folks walking past but thats ok for one night.
Booked to go on a Dolphin Boat ride up the sound at 8:30am tomorrow to take pictures and maybe a 2 person x 2 hour tour tomorrow afternoon looking for wildlife, will see how we go. Watch this space for tomorrow's adventure.
Very weary, dinner in the hotel where we are staying and breakfast confirmed already.
