Kaikoura

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I had two days in the coastal town of Kaikora. Enough to see some whales and dolphins with a bit of luck.

We got pretty close to several Sperm whales although of course only the tiniest bit of these huge animals is visible when they come up for air. Everyone waits with anticipation as they take their last gulp and dive  , giving everyone that tail fin shot.

A group from the same bus had gone swimming with dolphins whilst we'd been watching the whales and they'd had a great day. They were swimming with a large pod ( that could be up to 500 individuals ) that swam and did backward flips out the water around them . Sounded fantastic , so was looking forward to doing that the next day.

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As we were briefed , the dusky dolphins , although by far the most playful of all the dolphins , are wild animals and they could not predict their behavior. Sometimes they want to play ; sometimes not. They are not fed or encouraged in any way , so it really was pot luck as to what the day brought.

Once kitted out and on the boat we were divided into two groups . Luckily I was in the first to go and headed straight out to the approaching pod.

I was overjoyed when one swam underneath me then seconds later  another appeared and swam in tight circles around me just out of arms reach .We'd been given some tips as to the best ways to keep  their attention and i dutifully tried i spin as fast as it circled. No contest tho' ,  and then just as quickly he was off.

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Sadly that brief encounter was it as they couldn't find another large pod and eventually we headed back to shore.

I felt lucky indeed that I , at least ,  had the chance to experience the thrill of swimming with  wild dolphins  and because most people didn't , we all had a refund. Hoorah!