No visit to Kaikkora is complete without a trip out on the whale watch boat. Yesterday was too rough so we hoped it would drop today. It did a bit. Enough for us to go out, but not enough to avoid the vomit bucket. Brings back memories of Sea Dweller III in 20 knots from the SE. The boats are custom designed water jet powered cats, about 50 ft long. They take 48 people in 6 rows of 8 well cushioned seats. The computer aided audio visual system is state of the art, with a crew member explaining the topography of the area and the details of the whales. Kiakora has very deep canyons ½ mile offshore. The canyons are over 5000ft deep. In these canyons the cold nutrient rich current meets the warmer south bound flow. Because of this, there are enormous amounts of giant squid in the depths.
These are the food source for the sperm whales. There is a resident population of young males. The females, breeding males and calves are in the warmer waters between Samoa and Fiji.
We also saw humpback whales and dusky dolphins, who competing with the fur seals, also feast on the octopus and squid.
The drive up the coast went through tunnels. We stopped on the beach for a bacon sandwich and saw a NOLS van go past.
Also saw a beautiful Morris Minor pick up truck at the gas station. It emphasized the thought that NZ is a copy of a 60 something England
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