MONDAY 4TH JUNE 2007

Got bus to Kaikoura the next stop along heading north up the south island. Stopped on the way to a seal colony which was cool although they stank & got quite aggressive if you got too close. Was a bit unexpected as they were right up on the coastline & there were even some in the bushes in the car park. We then went to get ready for our dolphin swim. We were given wetsuits, hoods, gloves, snorkel & fins. I wasnt looking forward to getting in the freezing cold water - im too cold on dry land so i obviously didnt want to feel any colder! i asked the receptionist how cold was i to expect the water to be to which she replied "well - it will certainly take your breath away! GREAT!!! We then went out on the boat & took about 20mins to find the dolphins. There qwas loads of them all jumping & swimming around the boat.There were easily a hundred of them just around our boat! We all then jumped in & the receptionist was not wrong - i seriously thought i was going to have a panic attack it was that cold. i struggled to catch my breath & eventually got it under control &i am so glad i did 'cause it absolutely immense. The dolphins had no fear & came within cm of you. They circled you until you were dizzy & was no longer quick enough to compete with them -it really was unreal.Gaz was hilarious making all his 'dolphin' noises through his snorkel too. He was making really high pitched noises which in his defense seemed to attract them. In all the excitement the coldness wasn't really a factor except towards the end when we both started to feel it. It was a definite highlight of the trip. Walked back to the lodge & the 4of us treated oursleves to fish & chips to warm up. We then all went into the spa & sauna at the hostel which warmed us up nicely until it came to getting out of them of course.Spent the night playing cards with 3 random yet really funny guys.