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Well Kaikoura has kind of been a holiday within a holiday. One of the Magic bus drivers whom we made friends with, owns a hostel here so we have stopped one week, mates rates, in this gorgeous seaside resort. Steve, who has been our host has been an guide, a taxi service and even cooked us two roast dinners. Life just doesn't get any better than this!
We have spent the week getting up, close and personal with animals of all varieties. First off was the petting zoo. We fed lamas, wallabys, goats, sheep, donkeys and even a pig who responds to 'sit'. We even got to ride on a horse. It was like being a small child again, only more exciting.
Next off was whale watching. We were booked onto a boat to view the sperm whales, but due to the high levels of seasickness (8/10 being sick) we, ah hem, pushed the boat out (!) and took a chopper darhlings! What an experience going in a helicopter, it was so exciting. We manged to see two whales - they are huge. Being above them meant that we could see the whole animal. Quite amazing. Eagle eyed Leah spotted the second one so we sped over there. The boats couldn't make it in time, so it flipped, went under, and we waved good bye to all the people clutching onto their waterproofs, sick bags and cameras and sped off in the warmth. Smug? Nah!
Then following activity was one I was particularly looking forward to. We got to go swimming with wild dusky dolphins in the sea. We had to get up at 5am as this was the best time to view them, but my it was worth it. The sea was as flat as a lake and we swam on three separate occasions with huge pods of dolphins. They interact with you by swimming round in circles with you.
Must confess there was a bit of dolphin warfare going on. I almost punched someone who was trying to steal my dolphin but then thought better of it as I probably would have been sin binned on the boat! But wow, what a priviledge to swim with them in the wild. I have done it with trained dolphins before, but this was more exciting as they were in their natural habitat, so they chose if they were going to swim with you or not. We were very lucky.
Seal swimming was the final activity on the agenda. It was cancelled twice so we were hoping for third time lucky. However, we heard a rumour that some Orca whales were passing through which was slightly concerning as they eat seals so hanging out with their fodder dressed like their fodder was perhaps not the most sensible thing to do. Nevertheless, off we trotted with snorkel masks. We did see a few and I was fortunate enough to swim alongside one, but they weren't as lively as they can be. Still a fab experience though.
Couldn't leave without a DA (dumb american) quote:
DA; "Why do you guys say Zed instead of Zee?"
Smith (in her most condescending of voices); "I think you'll find that you say Zee instead of Zed. We did afterall invent the language."
DA; "Oh right. Gosh, how do you sing the end of the alphabet then?"
At this point we chewed off our arms.
So after a fabulous week, we leave Kaikoura for our last stop on the south island which is famous for its vineyards. Oh dear.
Thanks for all of your messages, I know you will all be busy partying away as it is the festive season so keep me posted with all of your party goss!
Photo albums also uploaded for Kaikoura and Christchurch.
Katherine xxx
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