In serach of Flipper...
Trip Start
Nov 11, 2007
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Trip End
Feb 11, 2007
Paihia,
New Zealand
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Thought I'd update you all on my lovely visit to Paihia in the Bay of Islands which is north of Auckland by about 4 hours.
On thursday morning we picked up our car from the rental place and set off up highway one to the Bay of Islands. It took us about 3 and a half hoursand we had a short stop at subway. Well sometimes you just have to! We arrived in Paihia at our hostel and got checked into our 8 bed dorm. The weather was a bit overcast but it was still shorts temperature. After heading to the supermarket and getting the stuff to cook sausgae and mash for tea we went to reception and booked ourselves onto a day trip. We were going on a dolphin hunt around the bay of islands for the day and we got a BBQ on board too! Sweet as! After that me, jen and mel went for a walk round the little town and looked around the shops before heading back cooking our tea and spending the evening lazing around and playing monopoly - party animals that we are!
We got up on froday morning quite excited about our day trip. Although we had seen a few dolphins in the Whitsunday Islands, it was going to be totally different as round the Bay there are a lot of dolphins pods or groups and the Bay is an important area for them. They feed, give birth and nurture their young and play in the Bay. We had breakfast, called in at the shop for some liquid and then walked down to the wharf where we would be picked up for the trip. The boat was a little catamaran, a lot smaller than Avatar but still a nice littel vessel. Our skipper introduced herself as Vanessa and she introduced the other crew member called Scott who was from York. Whilst vanessa drove the boat over to Russell to pick up more passengers. Scott told us a little bit about our plan for the day and the route we would be taking. As we headed over to Urupekapeka, the largest island in the Bay of Islands, we would be looking out for the dolphins but not actively searching for them. How it works is that all the boats who are out in the Bay that day keep in radio contact with each other and if dolphins are sighted, they let each other know.
As we were cruising along we went past Robertson Island, the island Capt. James Cook had stayed on when he had to make repairs to The Endeavour. He actually got to the area and named it the Bay of Islands because that is what he saw; a Bay with lots of little islands in it. Very straightforward! We had been at sea for about 2 hours and it was a little choppy because of the weather. Felt like we were on some sort of rollercoaster ride. As we hedead towards an island, all of a sudden, there were the dolphins in front of us! There were about 10 altogether with 2 little ones, one of which Scott said lookes as though it was only about a day old. They were just swimming ahead of us and feeding, making massive splashes in the water and jumping out every now and again. It was amazing and one of the best sights of my trip so far! At one point there was a massive dolphin just underneath the bow of the boat just swimming along just below the surface. So cool! We followed them for about half an hour round the bay and then we had to leave them as there are laws prtecting them and how much time you can spend with them. If they ahve young, are feeding or resting you can't swim with them and there is onyl a litmited period where you can follow them too. Just so they stay as wild and natural as possible.
We went to Urupekapeka island which is where we could get off the boat for an hour, go snorkelling, swimming and walking as the voew from the top of the hills on the island were supposed to be amazing. After being ferried over in the dinghy, I sunbathed for a white as the sun was out them we headed up the steep path to the top of the hill to look out over the cove. It was an outstanding view and definitely worth the climb up the steep, slippery slope. Then after the hour was up we were picked back up and takenm back to the boat for our BBQ, before the main sail was pulled up, we even helped with the Jib sail, and we pointed ourselves in the direction of the mainland. With the sail up it was even choppier than before but lots of fun. In fact once we got back onto dry land I was still rocking around for quite a while! Our evening was spent eating roast chicken (god bless supermarkets) and fried mash and onions mixed together (it was like poor mans bubble and squeak lol). The we had an early night because the sea air had totally wiped us out.
Today we got up and ready to leave Paihia to return to Auckland. I went to the shops and picked up a few souvenirs and then we started the drive back which, with the sun out, was even more scenic and picturesque than the drive up there. Now back at our hostel and contemplating the free meal - could be iffy it's a ridiculously small plate again lol! Then we're off on our Stray tour of the north island tomorrow morning which I'm lookin forward to.
Lots of love to everyone - I'm on the countdown now till I come home (4 weeks on monday) and particularly on a seeing Jack again countdown! Miss him so much I can't quite describe it.
Love n hugs Smiffy xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PHOTO UPDATE - sorry it's been so long!
Rest of sydney (inc. New Years)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16905&l=9ab82&id=510031269
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=17269&l=7dca4&id=510031269
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16904&l=fcfd5&id=510031269
Melbourne
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=17271&l=20055&id=510031269
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=17822&l=470ad&id=510031269
New Zealand
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=17823&l=a85ec&id=510031269
ENJOY!!!!!!! XXX
