Kaikoura

A deep trench over 3 km deep runs just offshore of Kaikoura, a small town where we went whale watching and on a Maori run tour of the area. The mayor met our zodiacs as we landed at the town dock in the morning wearing the chains of his office over an old blazer and Vans slip-on sneakers. I hiked to a high bluff after lunch and found amazing views of the mountains, some still with snow on the peaks, and the bay at low tide. Great place.