So we pull up to the 4-wheeling place and pile out. The guy looks at us, mostly girls, and starts telling us the rules and how to drive blah blah blah. Then asks a question, I see Damon raise his hand and it seemed like a good idea, so up went the hand. Apparently I signed up for driving a manual ATV (all terrain vehicle). Then we split up into the 10 people in the automatics, and then Damon, Kyle and myself on the manuals. The guy asked who had driven an ATV before, both the guys raise their hand. Then he asks who had driven a manual anything before, again the guys raise their hand. Looking concerned (for a good reason I’m sure) the guy then looked at me obviously asking with his expression... What in the world are you doing here?! I sheepishly looked at him and suggested ‘I’m a quick learner?’ Good enough for him! Honestly, it wasn’t that hard and I thought I picked it up really quickly. And I did! Everyone was really impressed with my mad skillz. In no time I was zipping around like an old pro.
Us three with the manuals were allowed to drive in the front of the rest because we were more skilled (that was the assumed part...). Let me tell you, thankfully I was where no one could really see me because I was grinning like a idiot. Just sitting there smiling and laughing and having the time of my life. It was so gratifying having so much control and shifting gears flying up hills, splattering mud, whipping around corners and bounding down hills. We rode for a while and then stopped at the top of a hill where we waited for the others. It was a great view, overcast, but impressive none the less. We were on a bluff overlooking the area around Kaikoura. Then back down the other side and through a stream where we stopped for a bit of tea. On the way back, we went through a large flat expanse where we were allowed to push the ATV’s, and ourselves, seeing how fast we could and would dare to go. The three of us embraced it and picked our speed up to a crazy pace of 66 kilometres and hour! What a thrill for sure.
After that thrill ride, nothing could really compare in excitement. Well, at least for that day I suppose.
The Ilam trip to Kaikoura was great. All you did was sign up, show up and ride. We originally planned to split up. Kristen and Alexis wanted to climb Mt. Fyffe while Juli, Emily and I walked the peninsula hike. But the base of Mt. Fyffe was too far away so w all ended up just staying together. We spent a good bit of time at Seal Reef just checking out the seals and taking pictures. Then walked the 30 or so minutes to the town itself. There we did a spot of shopping and ended up on the rocky beach.
The day ended up being extremely laid back and relaxing. We sat on the beach playing with driftwood making words, playing with the smooth rocks and just talking. Then we explored the beach itself, poking through the piles of debris and wood playing with the sea life. There were these turnicates (sort of like sponge/sea cucumber/plant things) called sea tulips that Alexis lovingly dubbed ‘whale testicles’. We spent a good bit of time throwing those around and playing baseball with them. The highlight of the day was when Alexis threw one at Juli while Juli was making a video of the area saying how much she loved it. Amazingly I was also taking a video and captured the whole thing! It’s a beautiful sight. Juli being adorable, saying how much she loves it here, then she turns and see’s Alexis. What are you doing, she asks. Then Alexis, like a baseball player, whips the whale testicles at her. Juli screams, tries to duck and fails. Thus a chase ensues complete with Kristen waving a stick out of joy hitting it on the ground like a caveman, Emily falling over laughing, and Juli awkwardly trying to chase Alexis on the unstable surface. You have to watch the video to enjoy it half as much as we did at the time and still do reliving the moment. One of the funniest moments EVERRRR.
And that was what turned out to be my last trip to Kaikoura. A wonderful memory indeed.
Po po on blogger that didn't like your sideways photo. Fun story liz.
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