Kaikoura: Sperm, Albatross & Dolphins with Magic!
Trip Start
Jan 10, 2007
1
5
6
Trip End
Mar 08, 2007
Kaikoura,
New Zealand
Friday, February 8, 2008
Although, I just currently finished the full tour of the south island, I'll continue to write in the present tense.
MAGIC BUS INTRODUCTION
Now let me begin...as I may have mentioned in my last blog, we decided to join a tour called the Magic Bus.To save me time from writing a description about the functionality of the company, you can check out their website: www.magic.co.nz Now, realistically, I know most of you won't check it out online...so here is a quick synopsis on how this tour operator works:
The Magic Bus is s a "hop on, hop off"bus tour where the bus driver acts as the tour guide and simlutaneously, the concierge that so "magically" multi-tasks while driving and books all our accomodations (hostels only) and activities of choice for the upcoming destination on the tour schedule
Kaikoura Seal Colony
. Magic offers a so called "Bible" or rather manual that offers suggested activities and places to sleep in the area of port (with potential discounted Magic prices). As passengers/tourists we can choose to stay in the "port" city for as long as we choose. We just call 24 hours in advance to inform whether we would like to be picked up and continue "en route". Keep in mind that although it was our first day embarking the bus...there were some passengers on the bus that had already been touring the entire island and country for that matter.OUR FIRST "MAGIC" LEG TO THE KAIKOURA COAST: Home of Sperm Whales
The magic bus picked us up in Christchurch around 7:50 am. Keep in mind that most travellers with the Magic Bus are backpackers, and although Jazz and I were technically "roughing" (according to Jazz Starwood standards) in the Holiday Inn, we trekked to the nearest hostel for pickup, covering up the perceived notion that we are not TRUE backpackers by staying at quality hotels.
We were greeted by our ever so eccentric driver: Scotty. Quite the character he is with his towering, bleached mohawk, perhaps compensating for his lack in height or perhaps something else... Nonetheless, the girls on the bus LOVED him and as he slowly won them over with his charm, I couldn't help find myself flirting with him, as well. Not before long, I convinced Jazz that it was absolutely mandatory that we sit in the front seat. "More leg room" I declared!
On route to Kaikoura, the bus made a few stops to scope out the different lavishing sceneries. I was finally getting a taste of THE New Zealand that we had been expecting to see witness based on consistent raving reviews.
We finally arrived at our hostel at around 12:30 pm...and yes, I said hostel. You see, because the Magic Bus is catered to backpackers, the only drop off and pick up points made are affiliated hostels. We do have the freedom to choose hotels, however the bus will not drop us off nor pick us up at the desired location. We would have to walk to the hostels to meet the groups. Now, Jazz was very skeptical about staying in hostels, but now he loves it and has converted from a 5 STAR HOTEL guest to a Joe Blo hostel guest. IN all fairness though, we have been booking double rooms with ensuite bathrooms (permitting they're available), so we haven't TRULY experienced the DORM hostel life.
Upon checking in at our hostel, we instantly rush out to join the Whale Watching tour. We embark on rather extremely modern boat filled to the rim with customers.. A little too packed for my liking and rather expensive for the type of expedition but well worth the experience. First and foremost, as we set out to sea, the water conditions were quite rough so the boat was rocking exponentially faster as we progressed out deeper into the horizon. People were were on the verge of spewing their guts out, namely Jazz however in contrast, as if I had just experienced my first amusement park ride, I was giddy like a school girl and LOVING every second of it! Naturally, some people were JUST SO INCONSIDERATE by throwing up left right and center. THe gruesome sounds of regurgitation quickly put a halt to my extensive joy and laughter.
With the help of Whale GPS and monotring the whale sounds, we finally spot our first SPERM whale...and wow, what a sight. The crowds and myself included were snapping away with our cameras to capture whatever glimpse we could get. WE were only able to see the whale's back, as it had just surfaced for air...but it was still just so magical.
In addition to the whale sighting, we run into a colony of over 50 dusky dolphins. It's as if we were a massive audience standing in an aquarium waiting for the dolphins to perform as they start to circle the boat, flipping in and out of the water, dancing in the air. This apparently was a rare sighting and luckily we captured some awesome photos.
ALBATROSS
Now although, the tour guaranteed whale sighting and rarely offers the experience of viewing Dusky Dolphins, I was so graciously caught off guard with the sighting of an Albatross bird. Now, I'm really not a bird lover nor do I even fancy learning about birds, until I recently came across an article in the second to last issue of National Geographic...on the ALBATROSS, also known as the "Symbol of the Southern Ocean". Ladies and gentelman...this isn't just any bird...the largest sea brid in the world, it has a wing span of over 11 feet and spends majority of it's flight gliding with the winds. It can fly up to 500 KM a day, flapping it's wings only once or twice throughtout flight! These birds are extremely rare and found mainly on the southern hemisphere, making the sighting of this bird all the more special. So now, I'm obsessed with Albatross. It would be awesome to have my own Albatross pet. I would never confine it to a cage but rather, by my side day and night, I would let it follow me wherever I go..even if that means across the globe. I embark on a plane to travel across the world..and there it is waiting for me on the opposite side..Ok those were deep thoughts that I should have kept to myself
SPECIAL NOTE TO MY READERS
I promise that my upcoming blogs will be shorter, but just had to introduce the concept of Magic for those who are not familiar with how the "Hop on - Hop off" tour works.
