Day 9- Camper Van

A very grumpy morning in Kaikora. It was much earlier than we were used to be up, but the excitement of seeing whales hurled us out of bed and into the front seat to get going. We found a little cafe and got sandwiches to go for brekky. I don't know why I feel like sharing this, but I will anyway. Mine was disgusting; it was such an odd combination. The package said Ham sandwich and had some veggies on it. I was trying to be healthy and picked that one as apposed to the ham and butter sandwich on white bread. The sandwich had ham, tomato, lettuce, pickled onions, a hard boiled egg, and sometime type of spread , all on whole wheat bread. Not very appetizing for 7am!

We got on the boat and bumped into yet another hometown friend of Celia and Lottie's, Sarah and EJ. I swear they know everyone. It was a catamaran that went 30 kts and we flew over to a region of the pacific ocean that had a deep canyon of 1600 meters deep. It was strange to know there was that much water under us! The water was a little bumpy, I am have realized I don't do great boats; I definitely felt a little woozy!

On our way to the Whales, we got to see another informative slide show- I'm a dork I know, but I really like them! Did you know that in 1880 a giant squid was found on the NZ shore- the biggest recorded I believe at 19 meters long. They have donut shaped brains and when they eat they must break it down into tiny particles because the food then passes through the brain. If the pieces are too large it can cause them brain damage.

Also, Sperm whale are named Sperm Whale because of an early incorrect assumption. When the Sperm Whales were first studied their 2.5 tons of a white substance stored in their brain was found. It was thought that it was sperm. There are a lot of jokes there but this is a PG blog, so I will let you come up with your own. They live till about 70 years old.

This tour clearly cannot guarantee a sighting as the whales are in their natural habitat and can't be paid or fed to do shows. We crossed our fingers and actually the night before- I so felt like my mom here... I made the girls visualize seeing a whale and to spiritually ask them to let us see them.

A quick interruption, I don't know how I could have forgotten this. On our way to the Whale watch, Celia was driving in parking lot looking for another spot. We decide to park next to another Escape camper van we saw, stupidly we like to stick together. The van was painted an even better design then ours. It had a cool angel on it. As we were driving I noticed one of the Angels eyes was open and not the other. I remember thinking it was kind of strange that only one was open, but it was a soothing angel and it didn't make me feel uncomfortable. When we got out Celia looked at the van and and was freaked out. Both eyes on the Angel were closed. She too had noticed as we were driving, that one was open. With out me even saying anything, Celia pointed this 'unsolved mystery' out. I know I am not crazy, Celia saw it too. I thought maybe it was the speed of the van or it was painted in a way that it depends what angle you look at it... but nope we tried everything. We drove by it again; we ran by it; we stared at it... both eyes remained closed. We spoke to the owners and no one had ever mentioned anything like this to them, but they did say it was a strange van. Lottie thought we were crazy, Celia doesn't believe in this sort of thing- but knows she saw it and was freaked out, I think I have an angel watching over me.

So back to the Whale Watch. I was desperate to see one. I have to say it would be a major disappointment not to see one. I am happy to report we saw more than they usually do... we saw 4!!!! Wow. They are massive and look cute in the water. They are dark grey and just lay there. Pretty uneventful but so cool at the same time! WE got to see four of them dip under as they go down for food, this is when they flip their tales up- I got some great shots! I can't explain what it is like to see whale. I never ever imagined I would have a chance to. It was very impressive.

As we were going back to shore we stumbled into 200 dolphin swimming and playing together... no exaggeration... 200! Everywhere you turned their were dolphin! They are so graceful and fun to watch. They really seem to enjoy life. They were Dusky Dolphin and mate up to 8 times a day with several different partners.

EJ and Sarah mentioned they were on a tour in the afternoon to swim with dolphin. How could I not after seeing that?! When we got to shore I called up and got on the tour!

When it was time to go on the tour they were thinking of cancelling it. They couldn't find the dolphin. Like the Whale watch this tour was in the Pacific Ocean, with wild dolphin- there was no sea world training here... it is wild dolphin in their natural habitat. We were confused after seeing so many, how could they not find them?! i guess the 200 had split up and all gone in different directions. As luck would have it though they took us out and warned us we might not see any but would get a refund if we didn't. We decided to go- easy decision we sure as heck wouldn't see any on sure, so might as well try.

We got all suited up in the most horrid wet suits- head to toe. We looked like scuba Steve, only in black. I think I looked like a blubbery seal... the NZ winter weight was not doing me justice in that get up! There were about 50 of us and we were split into 3 boats. Luck was on my side again and I was placed ina boat with Saran and EJ. WE also got the best boat driver and tour guide. Their enthusiasm was unmatchable and definitely got us in the spirit and gave us the momentum to attract the dolphins. They explained that we were the entertainment for the dolphins- not the other way round. That we had to be playful and make noises to keep them around.

We found some and quickly got in the water being careful of not scaring them away. I made my dolphin like noises and tried to swim in one... and poof... I had 6 dolphin around me. I swam in circles as they did and them under me, around me, on top of me... it was so cool!!!! I have to admit though they look an awful lot like sharks when they are flipped upside down and are coming at you, staring at you in the eye. But in the end their sweet and playful temperament shines through and it is just the most adrenaline pumping feeling to be out there with them.

It was a cold and rainy day, but we got to swim with them! That batch didn't stay long, but we got them! We tried another two times when some were spotted, but they were more interested in mating than swimming with us. Can you blame them?! After about an hour and half (an hour longer than the tour usually does) of swimming w got another successful batch. I had to swim under me pretty quickly and then as we were about to go back in the boat I had another four circle around me. Once again an experience I never imagined could be part of my life!

I was so thankful to have had to successful goes- especially that it was the first and the last go that I swam with them. It was perfect- a great way to start and end the trip! Apparently we were very lucky. One boat only got one go in the water and barely swam with them and the third boat got nothing! I am a lucky girl... so thankful for all that I have seen.

That night we went to that same bar for a few drinks. Lottie left early but Celia and stayed to listen to a local band. They were these old dudes that played rock / blues. It reminded me of the Mondo days. I really enjoyed listening to them. I also met a South African bloke that was on the Kiwi bus. A few days prior to meeting him he was on the bus and it had an accident. I explained how curvy and narrow the roads are so this isn't a shock that this could happen- but how terrifying! The bus driver dropped his phone, while driving and hte dope bent down to get it. I wonder if it was just a reflex or what not, but how stupid! He fell out of his chair and missed the bend in the road. The bus went down the cliff. Thankfully there were strong shrubbery to catch them. But all the seats broke as they crashed down and some windows were smashed. Thankfully only minor injuries, but they had to do evacuate the bus before it plummeted. They broke through he windows and climbed out. How scary!

One more thing... I saw four whales and swam with dolphin all in one day!