We packed at the end of a stress-laden Friday and started to drive as the sun went down.  We drove in the dark with the road to ourselves, and the cold night shut out by our makeshift shield - a collage constructed from a protesting heater, a flask of tea, improvised song solos, and comedic interludes inspired by our many road trips passed.​  We fell asleep to the sound of the sea, and woke to its breathe in our lungs.  It was just what we needed.  

Kia ora, Kaikoura.