At first, I wasn't too excited about spending New Year's in Kaikoura, but after taking a closer look, I have to admit that this place is actually pretty amazing. The weather is lovely, and the beach is long, although there are quite a few stones. However, this can be overlooked because the bike tracks that lead through the town and along the beach all the way to the peninsula to see the seals are definitely worth a visit. So, looking back, I won't just keep driving past Kaikoura when traveling up the east coast - it's a fantastic place to visit. 🌟🐋