beneath the cliffs

I decided to head towards the peninsula walk, but this time i would follow the cliff base around the peninsula. It was simply beautiful, the raised limestone and siltstone laid down beneath the sea about 60million years ago is now exposed. The peninsula was once an island and has now been connected to the mainland because of debris from the mountain range. The Kaikoura mountains are rising faster than any other mountain range in New Zealand at 10mm per year. The limestone has been uplifted and sculpted by the waves to form many different shapes and patterns.

Offshore there is a very deep underwater canyon, this system comes unusually close inshore, this is known as the Kaikoura canyon. The canyon collects sedimendts which will form rocks on the future and even mountain peaks in millions of years. Id love to witness that journey! here are some pictures, but the real thing is much more impressive, I even came accross a little heart shape naturally created on the rocks! I also walked through a huge colony of breeding birds, mainly red billed gulls, which swooped down at me from all angles. There was an incredible atmosphere down there at the base of the cliffs, seals slept and soaked up the sunlight, the birds were very vocal and the waves crashed against the rocks, this area will never be static, the coastline is constantly being reshaped and moulded, sculpted by mother natures hands. unfortunately the tide was coming in and it can get pretty dangerous there on your own, i didnt want to get stuck, so i turned back and carried on along the cliff tops! I looked down and noticed a kiss, how lovely! x