Camper Van and Dolphins

Trip Start Nov 03, 2007

Trip End Dec 07, 2007

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Flag of New Zealand Akaroa, New Zealand
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

We got an early start today. Excited about picking up the camper van and making it over to Akaroa for the dolphin swim. Got packed in the hotel and the taxi to Tui Campers was $35. Picked up van OK - they had to put some duct tape over the back window cos the seal had gone and Ford has sent the replacement part. Drove out through outer Christchurch and stopped off at a big supermarket to stock up on cheesey beans. How Cooolllll?
Didn't go quite as fast as we thought over through the mountains to Akaroa. Got there with only 45 mins to spare. We had a big fried breakfast (was that a good idea) before going out.
Got thick wetsuit (which they promised was bouyant), booties and gloves. Everything was too big for Fi of course.
Went right out to the harbour mouth to find the dolphins. Getting off the back of the boat was tough with me not being a proper swimmer (Rich), just as I got down the short ladder the back of the boat went deep into a trough and as I pushed away from the boat, the huge swell behind it came right over the top of me. Not impressed.
Had 11 dolphins round us at one point. Fi had 3 hurtling towards her (she got worried) they split, one either side and one under her! Got hot chocolate when we got back on the boat. We were in the water for about 1 hour. Fi was proper snorkeling trying to sing to the dolphins underwater (she was told this was a good way to attract the dolphins by the boat crew. Would you have believed it??) Was v cold when we first got in but after about 2 minutes it was fine.
Back on land, we got a hot shower.
Overnighted in top 10 park in Akaroa. End kms today is 86km.