Where's Poppy?: Kaikoura Experience

Sperm whale

I have now been in Kaikoura for 4 days. When I arrived on Wednesday I booked into the Albatross Backpackers for a few nights of luxury. Katie, Ben and David all made me welcome. They run a very friendly establishment, on my first night they and the staff put on a Thanksgiving dinner. This was a very pleasant evening with lots to eat and good company. It was nice to socialise after so much time on my own.

On Thursday I walked the 12km Kaikoura Walkway and was amazed how much effort and money have been put into it, with part of the track paved to allow wheelchair access and landscaping walls alongside. If only a fraction the money had been spent on the Port Robinson Walkway it could be kept open for the next 50 years! Good views are to be had all the way around the walkway.

Yesterday I visited the local Museum and was also interviewed by the Kaikoura Star and Marlborough Express newspapers. I was due to go on a Whale Watching trip in the afternoon but this was cancelled as no Whales had been sighted all day. However my booking was transferred to this morning. Last night I set my phone alarm for 6am and was worried I would wake the other people in the dorm. When the fire alarm klaxon went off at 11.30pm I came out of a deep sleep in a panic wondering how I'd managed to set such a load alarm on my phone! The alarm was because someone in another room had put a sweater over a heater!

A HUGE thanks to Whale Watch Kaikoura for sponsoring me by providing a complimentary Whale Watch experience. It was one of the things on my list to accomplish and I was not disappointed. While we only saw one whale, it was a great trip. The sperm whale was the same size as the boat and resting on the ocean. It then dived and we returned an hour later when it resurfaced. In the intervening hour, we saw dozens of dolphins leaping in and out of the water. It was a brilliant day on the water and a magical experience. Thanks again Whale Watch.

This is my last night in Kaikoura at the Albatross where tonight it is Curry Night so I'm looking forward to that. Thanks to Katie & Ben who are sponsoring me by providing a free room tonight.

I have really enjoyed my time here and the evening chats, cheese and wine with Sally and Cedric on holiday here from Guernsey. I hope you folks enjoy the rest of your holiday. Hope you enjoy the book Cedric.