Christchurch to Kaikoura by Rail

Good start to the day today. The taxi we booked to take us to the train station did not turn up. Evidently if you book online you have to phone to confirm. Makes sense to me. Not!
Anyway Uber saved the day. Got to the station with minutes to spare. Think I'm over taxis.
Anyhoo it's a pleasant 3hr train trip up the east coast of the south Island to Kaikoura which is set basically where the sea and mountains meet. Quite speccy. A bit of a walk with the luggage to the hotel and then back for a whale watch cruise.
Sea breeze came in and it was a bit rock and roll but I made it. There is a 1500m deep sea canyon directly off Kaikoura and it attracts Sperm Whales, making it a rare spot where you can see them close to land. And we did. Found one up for a breather during a hunt for giant squid. Big sucker!
Also spotted a pod of Dusky Dolphins.
Tired after getting up at 5am so early to bed. FYI it gets dark at 10pm so faded curtains are a big problem here.Read more