Kaikoura & Hanmer Springs

I travelled by bus 183 km north from Christchurch towards Kaikoura. The bus rode through beautiful scenery along coastline and in between mountains. I stayed at a cute, small hostel called Sunrise Lodge that is run by an enthusiastic couple. Fresh made chocolate muffins were waiting for me. I’d say I prefer smaller, but cosy hostels above larger, but popular hostels. The first thing I noticed was amazing snowcapped peaks of mountains so close to the sea. Morning clouds were encircling these mountains, resembling rings of planet Saturnus. Marine animals are abundant here in Kaikoura due to ocean-current and other conditions leading to an upwelling force, bringing nutrients up from the ocean floor into the feeding zone of seabed lining the coast.

I did the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, which is a four hour loop along the cliffs to South Bay. This was an amazing experience. En route I stumbled into a big, fat, fur seal blocking my pathway, lying in the sun against a rock, while other seals were splashing in the water; enjoying life. Startled, I felt like I was walking in a zoo. But I wasn’t; this was real wildlife.

After two days I travelled by bus 134 km inland towards Hanmer Springs. This bus ride was zigzagging around mountains, from left to right, up and down. It made me feel nausea, but luckily I could hold my stomach content together. But the view was so amazing: bright, green mountains everywhere. Hanmer springs is a beautiful village surrounded by these mountains. The first night in the hostel I was playing the drinking game Death of Fire with Northern Kiwi’s, while the next night I was playing Pictionary with an adorable family. It’s funny how a certain mixture of people determines the vibe of the night. Hanmer Springs is known for its hot thermal pools, benefiting from natural mineral water, clear alpine air, and uplifting environment. The mineral-rich water of Hanmer Springs is naturally warmed by the intense heat radiating from the earth’s core. It was so relaxing to soak my body in these hot pools, while breathing in the cold air, with a view of mountains. It actually reminded me of the day in Budapest after I rowed 400 km with Team Beau 4 Rights from Vienna to Budapest, when we visited a hot pool there. Our sore muscles, exhausted body was laying lifeless in these hot pools trying to recover; good memories. The next day I did a nice hiking track through Hanmer Springs Forest with a fellow Dutch girl I met in the hostel. I am in love with the hostel as well. It’s a wooden house with lots of atmosphere with free chocolate milk and ice cream! Next destination: Queenstown.