The weather yesterday was perfect -- sunny, blue skies, about 27 degrees with a nice little breeze. Many of the kiwis were complaining of the heat but for me it was just right.
Arriving in Akoroa I walked along the wharf and watched the boats in the harbour and then walked up the hill to the old french cemetary (Akaroa was settled by a small group of French settlers). Came back down to the main beach road and popped into some of the shops before having an early lunch at 11 in a nice little courtyard at one of the restaurants -- bresaola salad (dried cured beef) with arugula and parmesan and a glass of Mt. Rosa "Gammy Rose". Walked around a bit more before reporting to Black Cat cruises for my dolphin swimming trip. They restrict the number of people who can go out so it is a nice small group of 10 people. Got zipped into my black wetsuit (at which point the 27 degree weather became quite noticeable) and after some introductory instructions we all waddled down to the catamaran and headed out to sea. As soon as some dolphins were spotted we waited in the boat to see if they would approach. A few came up to swim by the boat so we all slid over the edge into the water. The dolphins didn't stick around so after about 10 minutes of bobbing around and trying to attract them by making noise underwater by yelling or clicking stones together we all clambered back into the boat and headed further out in search of another pod. We found another pod and once they approached and the guide determined that there were no babies we all once again slid gracefully over the side in our sodden wetsuits. This time the dolphins stuck around and it was amazing. You aren't allowed to touch them but they come quite close and then pop back down and swim underneath you. My prescription goggles (thanks Rapp Optical!!) were just great as I could see them quite clearly and I was glad I had them. Here I am in the water with some little friends ...
The Hector's Dolphins are the world's rarest and smallest breed of dolphins. They are curious and playful. A couple of kayakers came by and the dolphins apparently like the sound of a kayak moving through water so they paddled up to us with dolphins swimming along beside them. So we got to swim with kayakers as well! When you are up so close to the dolphins you can hear their little snorts as they pop out of the water and dive back down. It was truly a tremendous experience and I am so glad I did it. (Thanks, Erica, for telling me about your experience with the dolphins in Kaikoura as that spurred me to try this out.) I hope to do this again later in my trip iin the Bay of Islands area with some bigger dolphins if I have the chance.
After the two-hour swim we came back to the harbour and peeled out of our wetsuits. I went for a walk and had some ice cream in the sun before catching the shuttle back to Christchurch.
I was asleep by 9:30 last night and had one of those beautiful deep and restful sleeps. Seems a bit of getting back to nature is good for one.
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