• Drive to Kaikoura (via Hanmer Springs)
• Hanmer Springs - Hot pools
• Seals - Walk around limestone cliffs

Another day on the road - first to Hanmer springs, about 1.5 hr our of Christchurch & in-land. Here we visited & enjoyed the Hot pools - essentially a much larger version of the hot pools at Lake Tekapo, with literally hundreds of people, and a large selection of pools from 36 - 41 degrees. We relaxed in the pools for a bit over an hour - in the change rooms they had bathers dryers, which are justa small tub - put the bathers in, close the lid for 5 seconds & they're pun dry… While in Hanmer sprints we visited a small park - made lunch - then continued on our way to Kaikoura, back out to the coast. The drive there seemed to be the most windy yet - like driving a rollercoaster, through amazing scenery. I'm glad it's a hire car we're driving - as it's essentially just a matter on all on breaks, then all on the accelerator non-stop through the curvy, bumpy roads.

Once in Kaioura, checked into our accommodation - the lady who runs it is VERY friendly, talking for about 20 minutes or so about the things to do, restaurants to eat at etc… making sure we were ok - bringing us a drying rack, in-case we had bathers to dry (knowing we have come from the hot springs)… Even to the point when we went out for a drive and dinner - we came back to find the heater had been turned on & curtains shut. We also very quickly made a new cat friend when arriving, with Rachel opening the door to pat a cat which walked by - the cat immediately jumped into the car onto the back ledge in the car, curled up and made itself at hope (apparently something it does regularly).

Drove to the lookout in town, with 360 degree views over the ocean, and then drove out to the end of the peninsula. We had been told there was a seal colony there but hadn't though much of it - until we arrived - they were everywhere - literally 1m from the car. Took a walk along the limestone cliffs (the walk running right next to the cliff edge) which had stunning views out over the ocean. Also had a view of another seal colony around the corner, where there were literally hundreds of seals everywhere. Certainly a worthwhile walk - we found out after getting back to the motel and checking theloney planet guide, that this walk is the number 1 thing to do.

Once again, the weather has held out for us, while the forecast was for rain, we were able to do everything we wanted outdoors with only a minor sprinkle, as soon as we were back indoors, it's pouring down.

Dinner we walked through town (which is really quite small, but has a heap of restaurants) and ended up going to a hotel / pub, which was reasonably quite, but had an great atmosphere. This made for a fantastic dinner in a very comfortable/relaxing setting.