It was time to take a break from all that festive eating and drinking and hit up a few ports. First up, on Boxing Day, was Wellington – our last taste of the North Island. And even though it was Boxing Day down under, it was still Christmas Day back home. So we were able to FaceTime the folks to say Merry Christmas and show them the glorious blue sky and sunshine we were experiencing.
A day of nice weather is just what we needed for our two wheeled adventure. After a short shuttle ride out of town, we were dropped off with mountain bikes, helmets and a packed lunch. Our mission for the day – to ride the Remutaka Rail Trail from Maymorn through the Wairarapa Valley. The trail follows a historic disused railway line amidst lovely lush green countryside and native New Zealand bush.
Even though the trail was wide and well maintained, it started with a steep hill and loose gravel. That’s a steep hill UP by the way. Hence it started with me walking and pushing the bike, cursing under my breath about whose idea it was to not get an e-bike.
Still, once we got properly underway, I was able to take in the fantastic scenery and enjoy the ride.
I soon learned the importance of swapping out my sunglasses for normal glasses before going into a long dark railway tunnel – all the better for avoiding the potholes and puddles. (And there’s something about railway tunnels that will never not scare me, after being subjected to some horrifying seventies propaganda as a child to deter kids from playing on train tracks. If you know, you know!).
And then there was the Siberia Gully swing bridge. Very photogenic she was too, although I didn’t hang around to look down.
The final section was as if it was a totally different trail. It became a narrow winding single track with overgrown bits, washed out bits and steep drop offs. Hence my ride ended as it started – with me pushing. Ho hum. Still a fab ride overall.
The pretty little coastal town of Kaikoura was up next, in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. We messed up a bit here in somehow managing to not book a kayaking trip, especially as the area is renowned for its sea life. But we made the best of it and went for a walk instead, in search of other wildlife.
The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway winds round the headland, starting right from the ship tender drop off.
As we approached the cliff edge, the frenzied cacophony of squawks and shrieks from thousands of sea birds told us we were in ‘Bird City’. We were immersed in the largest red billed gull colony in New Zealand, topped off with terns, oyster catchers and black backed gulls.
Down by the shore line, we assumed it must be the wrong season to see the New Zealand fur seals we’d heard also live here, as there didn’t seem to be any sign of them. Until we practically tripped over one. And then another. Turns out the path followed the rocky shoreline right through the middle of the seal colony. We tried to keep our distance but they didn’t seem to respect the path too much.
Wildlife done, all that was left to experience Kaikoura was to check out the local brewery and round off our visit with a pint and a packet of crisps 😋
No photo of said beer or crisps so here’s some from the ship instead
