Learning to Scuba Dive in Kaikoura

Trip Start Oct 01, 2003

Trip End Jul 29, 2008

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Flag of New Zealand Kaikoura, New Zealand
Friday, October 29, 2004

We've been in Kaikoura almost a week now and it has been good. We caught the train from Christchurch to Kaikoura which looked a little scary (sort of beat up looking), but was a very nice ride with great scenery. Both of us started our PADI open water scuba diving course last Tuesday through "Dive Kaikoura" and just finished up yesterday. It was harder than I thought it would be, especially since we're both still getting over the crud (bad colds). Equalizing our ears was a problem for both of us but we got through it. I had one bad day....lots of things added up--seasick, cold, wet, tired, dehydrated, etc. etc. but I did much better the following day. Our instructor was really encouraging and assured me that I wasn't the worst beginning diver ever :-)...thanks Nathan!

The water is cold here and we have to wear 7 mil wet suits that completely cover us. The equipment is heavy too...heavier than firefighting even! All in all it was fun and I'm very glad I went through it (especially glad that it's done)--now I can scuba dive anywhere with a partner. The original plan was to both complete Advanced Open Water as well but I'm not ready. Ron will start again tomorrow. Both of us get one more dive together which will be Underwater Photography, so hopefully soon I'll get underwater digi pics on this entry.

The town of Kaikoura is very comfortable. We're staying at a Backpacker that has a wood burning stove, movies, free internet and a cat--The Top Spot. The weather has been good and it smells really nice here--lots and lots of flowers and greenery. We've been hitting one of the local bars(The Adelphi) most nights for "Toss the Boss", which is between the hours of 6-7 p.m. nightly. When you order a drink the bartender flips a coin. If you guess heads or tails correctly, your drink is free. I always say heads.

One of the other fun things we ended up doing in Kaikoura was the horse races. There were thousands of people attending and you could bet on the races--I got a really good tip on how to bet and ended up winning $130 kiwi on one of the races...which always makes betting funner--when you win that is. It was a trotting race with horses hauling little buggies with jockeys riding.

Soon we'll be headed back to Christchurch for Ron's tattooing--I hope to get pics of that on here too :-)