Moby Dick

Had a good Birthday last night and left just as new cool people turned up which is Sod's Law. There was a bbq on at the hostel for a couple of guys leaving and when I got some food, they all sang happy Birthday which was kind of embarrassing seeing I hardly knew anyone.

Arrived in South Island today after getting the 1:30am ferry across from Wellington. Good crossing but it took 3 hours and was really tired and cold. After waking up, I had to sit under some lights to warm myself up.

Drove south to Kaikoura which was a stunning journey. The sun was rising and the winding road was right next to the sea which was perfectly calm. Saw some seals looking like slugs on the rocks and Chrismas type trees at the sides of the road.

Got to Kaikoura about 0630 and slept in car as hostel was not open. Checked in for 2 nights later and drove to whale watching tour place. Amazingly beautiful mountains in the background, tops covered in snow. Warmer here too which is great seeing it's further south than windy Wellington.

Had to have an afternoon tour as the other ones were cancelled due to fog. Paid $125 which was a bit pricey and there was a bit of swell. After arriving at our location in the sea very far out(which took about an hour), they used some sonar device to locate a sperm whale. Eventually, it came to the surface blowing water everywhere but we didn't get within 50 metres of it. Waited patiently for it to go under baring it's huge tail but it disappeared and the crew lost the damn thing. Headed back to where we came from to stop to see an albatross (we were on a whale watching tour) and then to see some dolphins which were jumping all around the boat performing for us.

Back to the land after 2.5 hours (for a 3.5 hour tour) and got $25 back as the whale watching thing was not quite sucessful. Waste of time and money so will not rececommend it to anyone. Tours, hate the stupid things!

Loads of stupid moaning old tourists here with their NZ caps and tops and with their trousers hitched up under their armpits too. Have these people never lived or done anything on their own?

Ho hum, well can't be good all the time.

Heading further south in 2 days time so will explore the seal colony
tomorrow.