OMG it's early ! The start this morning was far, far too early especially after a fairly disturbed night. We were picked up to catch the interislander ferry at 7am. Check in was a bit chaotic but rapid and we checked most of a luggage through to Kaikoura. We decided to take the pushchair on board with us with the idea it would make things easier for us. It maybe would have done had the lifts not been out of order. Anyway we had breakfast on board before we split into two groups or rather David and the girls as one group and me. David took the girls to an amazing play area on deck 2. I was expecting something akin to the Brittany ferries, 2 steps and a mini slide. This was in fact a pretty big soft play centre. I went up to the 'sun' deck, I use the quotes as they closed this area due to gale force winds. I then went downstairs to spend some time with the girls.
When the sun deck reopened in Queen Charlotte Sound I went upstairs to see the view. What an amazing view ! The fjords were just stunning.
We walked the short distance to the train station and checked in pretty easily, they was only a small hitch when the pushchair was checked through to Christchurch so David had to do some sorting out. In Picton Elizabeth through a huge tantrum resulting in her running off and attempting ot lock herself in the toilets.
The train journey itself was lovely, through a variety of stunning views along the east coast. Alex and I explored the viewing platform which she loved.
Dave from Kaikoura Shuttles met us at the station and drove us to Willowbank motel. The motel itself is basic but clean.
Did a supermarket shop resulting in heavy bags - ouch ! David took the girls to play on a playpark, they both enjoyed this but Alex managed to graze her cheek when she fell.