Whale Watching

Mr. Saddleback posing with Liz
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Kaikoura, a nice little spot sandwiched between the Southern Alps Mountains  and the South Pacific Sea. Famously known for its beauty and Hill walking (more aptly known here as Tramping). Given that the temperature was about 6oC we opted for another of Kaikoura’s famous offerings, “Whale watching”.

Four of the local Maori’s took us on a three hour cruise of the harbour aboard the “Te AO MARAMA”. They introduced us to five of the local Sperm Whales. the friendlily of which was known as “SaddleBack,” and can be seen posing here in a photo with Liz.

aboard the “Te AO MARAMA”

View of Kaikoura coastline.
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Quite fascinating creatures, the Sperm Whales, get its name from the 2.5 tonnes of oil it carries around in its head, which just happens to be milky white in colour…...!! But on a more interesting note, is how the whale uses this oil. By cooling the oil and allowing it become a hard wax the whale is able to dive like a rock to depths of 1000 feet then by heating the wax and melting it back to an oil it floats back up to the surface to breath….Neat trick!