Akaroa and Kaikoura

Hi people, Time to update! We wanted to go to Akaroa since it offers this kind of "swim with the dolphins" trips, and the time we tried in the north island we could not jump into the water because of the baby dolphins. This time, however we were luckier, a part from the 13degC water temperature of the ocean. We could have swimming around several Hector Dolphins, the smallest and rarest dolphin specie, it exists only in New Zealand and are relatively small. Sadly the water was quite milky, and we were completely unable to take any pictures. But it was nice to have this creatures passing around us! We drove a lot from Akaroa in direction of Kaikoura, also another town famous for its sea life. We slept three nights there, one in a DOC (Department of Conservation) Camping and two others wild camping on a beach full of Paua Shells! Realy nice shells which can be up to 80 years old. I am bringing some :), amazing colours. We decided it was worth to invest some $ and give a try to another marine life trip, this time we went to see Sperm Whales, and after several days of half-rain and grey sky we had a picture perfect day and we saw four whales. Up to 20 meter in lenght and with a tail measuring 6 meter across. Amazing animals, they come up to the surface to breath and then dive down to fish some octupus or squid. They can dive down to 3000meters and Kaikoura is a perfect place to see them, since it has a canyon system underwater. Near the shore, a canyon with a 1000m drop forms into the ocean, and curious flows makes its waters full of food that the whales love. We also saw some Shags, which can actually dive better than they fly, and after being submersed, put their wings to dry in the sun, see the picture in the next post. They look really funny. From there, we headed already towards Picton, the harbour which would bring us, via Ferry, back to the Wellington city of the north island. So, until the next post! Juanma.

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