South Island - Picton

Day 3 in South Island

Driver brought us to Blenheim for a tea break before heading to Picton.

Reached Picton around 12.45pm, check-in to The Villa by YHA (30nzd).

I realised booking ourselves in advance is much cheaper than booking from the Stray driver.

 YHA is a big chain hostel in NZ, what I don't like is most of their dorm doesnt not come with sufficient charging plug.

The next door is a very popular bakery in Picton

Steak and blue cheese pie (4.50nzd)

Still trying hard to find a good pie.

Public toilet (FOC)

When u enter, the background will play some soothing music hahaa

The City centre of Picton

Starting point to Bob's Bay reserve. Short hike of 1.5hrs, the hike is not very easy as there are many incline slope.

Ok, finally reach Bob's Bay.

Did grocery shopping at Freshchoice (inside mariner's mall).
There is a Four Square in the city center but it is smaller and more expensive most of the time.

This is my favourite snacks in NZ, pork rind and a very salty one:)

Back to hostel and soak my legs in their jacuzzi. They call it hot pool.

Free dessert every night at 7pm. Today is apple crumble.

Got the groceries from Fresh Choice.

South Island - Kaikoura

Early morning walked to airport in 10mins, waited for the stray bus to start my jourey.
I got the Ron Pass at a discouted rate @ 649nzd, I heard one of my travel mate, he booked directly from one of the travel agency in Auckland seems slightly cheapr than published rate.

Reached Kaikoura around 1pm.

This fish & chip cafe is highly recommended by our driver, he quote the best fish and chips in the world.

I was so lucky met 1 china couple who offer me a free lobster.

They went fishing and was given 5 lobster which they cannot finish them all.

Cooking fee for lobster 10nzd, Bluecod 7.50nzd

The hostel do not allow for early check-in, we left our luggage in the bus and continue our own activities. This is a small town with very few restaurant and cafes.

Alot of them join the fishing tour, dolphin and whale watching tour, I prefer to walk to the seal colony. My driver told me30mins walk and in the end I took 1.5hrs. I realised there is always discrepancy when the local advise on the distance, very often need to x2 or x3. They walk really fast.

After walking about an hour from the town, saw some seal in this area. This is not the seal colony yet.

The red boy tried to cross over but hesitating for quite awhile hahaa

This seem to be another popular fish and chip outlet along the route to seal colony.

Finally reach the seal colony after another 30mins walk.

This area is massive, and I could not find any seal here...

On the way back, pass by this Fyffe House

The sky is getting dark soon, there are no lamp post on the coastline and can be very dark and dangerous walking on the street. 

Finally after 1.5 hours, arrived back in town.

Our hostel is another 15mins walk from the town center.

Went back to Cooper's catch, this time tried Tarikihi fish (6.50nzd)  and squid rings (1nzd each) and mussel (1.50nzd each). Total: 14.00nzd

After twice visit, I had conclude this is definitely not the best fish and chips in the world. We can easily find a handful much better in SG.

The town is dark and quiet in the evening.