Kaikoura Peninsula

The next day, we drove into the main part of Kaikoura, which is known for its seafood. We breakfasted at a small café in the downtown, where Ingrid had spaghetti on toast (exactly like it sounds). We booked a dolphin-swimming excursion for the next day and then walked around the peninsula, passing a road-side stand that sold fresh seafood platters for NZ$6 (which was around US$4 given the exchange rate) passed a seal colony, where the seals enjoyed grunting at us, up onto the hills that form the interior of the peninsula and which were covered with pastures, baby cows, and plenty of cow patties. Dinner that night was in The Pier Hotel, where we first tasted green-lipped mussels, a New Zealand specialty. The mussels were in a white wine, butter, and garlic broth, which was sooo delicious.