Bert took some brilliant seal photos, and thoroughly enjoyed the early start. I had my camera lens "giggered" technical speak for mixed up.... so didn't get any good shots, but beginners mistake.
Back to the hotel for Breakfast and it was lovely, fresh barista coffee, salmon, capers and cheese bagel for me.
The highlight of the day was the Whale Watch Tour, headed over there for 9:30am and got our briefing etc.. Notice to all that the seas were rough, take any seasick medication... does not bode well!!! Bus to the jetty and on a high speed catarman, and off to the high seas!! they were high and it felt like it was airborne a couple of times but Bert and I had a ball. A lot of others saw nothing but their travel sick bags....
We were very lucky and saw 4 Male Sperm Whales and a large pod of Dusky Dolphins, I did not get a good picture they are speedy little dolphins but were so playful around the boat. Most tours only see 1 or 2 whales so we were particularly lucky.
There is snow on the mountains around Kaikoura and they are spectacular, and really make a beautiful back drop.
After finishing the whale watch we had pie and coke for lunch, bit queasy after sitting in the locked up cabin with all those sickies!! ummm.
Headed off up to the Seal Sanctuary that we visited last time were here and there no where near as many baby seals as last time and they have changed the pathway to be away from the actual river.
The waterfall is there and we found 4 baby seals only.
My best seal picture.
We came back to the Kaikoura Peninsula, and found another small seal colony there, but there were so many tourists and children screaming and chasing the seals or getting way too close.. Bert got some lovely pictures there but I sat back and just watched.
Dinner at the Pub here, very nice. Grouper and chips for me, and a steak for Bert and home early. We were out all day - started at 4:30am, and hope after dinner by 7:30 ish... big day and both very tired.
