KAIKOURA 24-26 August

TRIP LEADER: Jonathan Harrod

Kaikoura Trip Report: Karen Talbot

Great weather was forecast for the weekend, and it didn’t let us down. About 18-20,(give or take a couple of partners), of Nature’s intrepid adventurers headed to Kaikoura for the weekend of 25/26 August. On Friday night we all met in a local pub for a meal/coffee and a brief from Jono. Early (pre dawn) saw a group of us checking out the early light at Fyffe House corner. Not a spectacular sunrise-but some really nice images captured.
Saturday morning we were lucky to enjoy an Albatross Encounter. Because of the numbers, we enjoyed the larger boat. Plenty of room for all of us and our gear!! Our guide told us there had been a large pod of Dusky dolphins reported in the area, so we went to take a look. The pod was approximately 300 in size, and they were out enjoying the beautiful day too. They feed at night on squid, so in daytime just relax and swim!! It was an amazing experience being in the midst of these beautiful creatures. We then travelled a way offshore and there were the albatross waiting for a feed. To attract the birds they throw some frozen burley overboard-it is tied to back of boat. Wandering Albatross were the majority of the birds, a few Black petrels and a few Cape petrels (pigeons).This experience was something unbelievable- the birds were so close to us.
On the way back to South Beach we found a small pod of Hector’s dolphins too. After lunch we all went in different directions- some to the seal nursery, some just poking around all the side roads. Saturday night we all enjoyed a meal in the pub, and watched the All Blacks demolish the Wallabies-(sorry Judy and Jono!!!!).
Sunday we poked around and headed home. On my way home I stopped at St Anne’s lagoon- how beautiful that was-ducks, coots, pukeko, swans, Canada geese. Many, many thanks to Jono for organising such a great weekend, and for choosing such perfect weather.