Day 9-Kaikoura

Today was our last day of holiday.  We checked out of the lodge early, hauled our luggage to the center of town, and had a couple of hours to kill before catching the coach back to Christchurch.  We had a sunny breakfast on the patio of a seaside cafe, and then sat on the warm beach until noon.  Kaikoura's beach lacks sand, but is covered in smooth gray stones, a wide array of sizes.  The sounds of the waves rushing over the stones, and back into the sea was wonderfully relaxing.  I was dreading going home, but at the same time excited.  I had to slather on sunscreen and wear a scarf wrapped around my head to prevent the intense sun from burning my skin and scalp (Bret even made me wear my bicycle helmet at the beach earlier in the week to prevent this!).  As I walked from the shore, back to the bench where we had stashed all our stuff at (right under a Pohutakawa tree), a seagull flew so low over me, and pooped right on my arm.  Isn't that how it always goes?  So right before I am set to get on the bus, I am frantically washing my arm and shirt off, only to find the air dryers not working in the bathrooms...

It was pretty funny though, and a silly way to end our lovely holiday!  A few last photos:

 

The real Pohutakawa deal

Monarch on the beach

Sundog at lunch yesterday

Seagull in flight

 

Kaikoura sunset last night 

No scalp sunburn today!!!