Kaikoura,
New Zealand
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Arrived Albatross Encounter Office at 9am to find they had cancelled their dolphin tour due to bad weather. Was told that didn't apply to the Albatross encounter as they clearly thought people who watched seabirds were made of sterner stuff! Bought Pat a seasick tablet. No harbour here so you climb into the boat up a ladder on a trailer and they back it into the water with a tractor. Heavy swell running and some major waves. Just me and Pat passengers. (funny but this seems to have been the experience of most of the tours we have booked on this trip!) Had to cling on for dear life as is pitched and crshed through enormous waves. Once out to sea the skipper threw a basket over the side on a rope containing a lump of frozen fish guts. Apparently they do this because the smell of the unfrozen stuff had the whole boat throwing up over the side. It was very effective with a whole load of seabirds appearing. The star birds were wandering albatross, bids with the longest wingspan in the world, who took pole position and duffed up any other bird that tried to get a look in. They were so close you could stroke them and they took no notice as they ate and squabbled. It was a fantastic experince and great photo op. Pat refused to move from her seat in the cabin but could see very well.
We got back safely and I let Pat choose what she wanted for the rest of the day. This turned out to be Latte and muffin encounter follwed by shopping encounter. Had meeting with trustees of Maroi run whale watch here which was most interesting. They have invited Pat and I to go on the whale watch tomorrow early and then we have to head for Christchurch and home
Comments
What a great adventure
What a great adventure you are both having! Glad you bumping into Jane and co (although it must have been weird meeting up 1000s of mile away from home).
Good luck with the whale tour tomorrow - amazing experience and truely humbling if you see any.
Sounds like the Morley tour curse has not had much effect other than on the camper van!
Have safe journey.
Claire