Marion came to the Intercity Bus stop and found me. Then we had a tour of Kaikoura, and I heard about her experience in the earthquake. She knows the place well and loves it. We even picked up a couple walking the shore and had a couple of jugs of beer together.
I loved her quirky home, with the sound of the sea, and since I live near a railway line myself the two trains that thundered past in the night - only two - were no problem, even a little exciting.
Final touch - she dropped me off at the Dolphin place and gave me useful tips for my swimming experience.