My daughter and I made a spontaneous decision to embark on a little road trip to Kaikoura, New Zealand. Our plan was to arrive in the afternoon, spend the night, and wake up early to catch the sunrise before heading to Mangamaunu beach. For those of you who don't know, Kaikoura is located on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
Initially, I hadn't intended to take any photos of Kaikoura in the afternoon. However, as I sat on the balcony of our accommodation , I couldn't help but be captivated by the majestic mountains meeting the sea, the salty air, and the lone sailing boat in the distance.
I set the alarm for an early hour. It was still pitch black outside when I woke up my 9-year-old daughter, who was eager to join me for this experience. Our goal was to reach the Kaikoura coastline to capture the beauty of the mountains during the golden hour, and if we were lucky, spot a surfer or two.
Since I wasn't familiar with Kaikoura, I relied on Google navigation. Unfortunately, I overshot the parking area and had to turn back. Once we crossed the road and reached the beach, my daughter was thrilled by the adventure, engrossed in collecting hundreds of shells. Meanwhile, I patiently waited, initially feeling a bit disappointed as there was no one else in sight, no surfers to be found. I wondered if I had chosen the wrong day or time, or if the conditions weren't favourable for surfing.
However, my disappointment quickly faded when I witnessed the breathtaking sunrise. The colours were stunning, and the ocean air mixed with the golden glow of the mountains created a heavenly atmosphere.
I began capturing the beauty before me, and to my relief, I noticed a surfer arriving, followed by another. It added an extra element to my photographs, making them even more special.
I absolutely adore the colours in these pictures, the misty sea air blending with the golden glow of the mountains. I feel incredibly fortunate to have taken this trip and captured these photographs. The weather was on my side, and it was a long-awaited item on my bucket list that I finally accomplished.
If you haven't been to Kaikoura, I highly recommend adding it to your To Do list!
