Sat 28th April - Kaikoura dolphins!

Headed off early to go on our Dolphin encounter swim. We were all very excited , and not sure if the swim was going ahead as the weather had been bad the day before, but things had settled down enough to go out, tho there was some swell and chop.  We got all suited up, hoods and all !  Water temp was 13 degrees brrrr.  We headed out and found a large pod of about 50 or so.  We all lept in and I have to say for the first 5 mins it was so cold it really hurt. Both boys were crying from the shock, but once we started swimming and got in with the pod  - no one complained.  Apparently the usual length of time swimming is 5-10min at a time,  as the dophins loose interest.. Well this lot loved us, we swam with them for over 40 mins! and they never left us. We dived and sang to keep their attention and they just mobbed, circled and zoomed at us the whole time. So close they almost were rubbing shoulders with you at times.  We were told to look them in the eyes and circle around with them which they really responded to. They really did look you in they eye , and you felt like you were communicating– I was overwhelmed emotionally. Never had an experience like that ever....

After a hot hot shower and some lunch we headed out to Kaikoura point hwere we saw yet again another seal colony, mind you half of them were lying in the carpark!  Then a whitebait pattie and some garlic scallops at the iconic roadside Kaikoura BBQ van.   Another glorious sunset by the sea with , yes, another bottle of sav blanc. What a day...