Not very often do I remove my clothes in front of men I don’t know and then hand one of them a camera, but I did just that in Kaikoura, New Zealand.
Three tours were available to me: swim with the dolphins, feed the albatross or visit the baby seals. I chose to feed the albatross since that was something I’d not done before. I was patiently waiting to leave on the boat, but discovered that because there needed to be a minimum of 2 guests and since I was the only one, this tour almost didn’t happen. Fortunately, at at the last minute a gorgeous blue eyed, blond sailor joined Captain Mike and me.
Turned out that Mike and Derek were old sailing buddies and I was just along for one of the best adventures of my life. We sailed out to find the albatross first and when we stopped far off the coastline, Captain Mike pulled out a bucket of old fish parts, chose a few and threw them overboard. After we’d fed the magnificent birds and I caught this one taking off.
When the food was gone, Captain Mike said, “Let’s go find some dolphins!”
We boated out a little farther and he killed the motor. We waited for a few minutes and suddenly, from nowhere, 5-10 dolphins appeared.
Not very often have I removed my clothes in front of two strange men and then handed one of them a camera, but I did just that in Kaikoura, New Zealand.
In Kaikoura, I found a tour company which offered three different boating excursions.
I could swim with the dolphins, feed the albatross or visit the baby seals. I’d seen many dolphins while living in Hawaii and I’d fed the seals off the Oregon coast, but never had I seen an albatross up close. I registered for the tour, but the clerk informed me there needed to be a minimum of two guests on the boat to ensure the tour would take place. I was directed to return that afternoon to see if any new passengers were recruited.
When I returned at the designated time, the clerk told me I was assigned to Captain Mike’s boat. I found Captain Mike and I happily discovered a handsome blue-eyed, long blond haired sailor, Derek would be joining me. As it turned out, Captain Mike and Handsome Derek were old sailing buddies and little did I know, I was about to embark on one of the best adventures of my life.
We boated out to find the albatross first and when Captain Mike saw a few sea birds overhead, he cut the engine. He pulled out a bucket of old fish parts, chose a few and threw them overboard. All the seabirds recognized the boat and knew the routine that followed. The magnificent albatrosses landed gracefully and consumed their lunch along with a myriad of other sea birds. They fed heartily and fought off the competition.
Their enormous size garnered them first position, and I watched them get their fill through my camera lens. I photographed as many pictures as I could and I am pleased to say, I got a perfect shot of an albatross taking flight. The bird was centered in the photo and in clear focus; no easy feat on a rocking boat. When our feathered friends’ appetites were sated and the food was consumed, Captain Mike said, “Let’s go find some dolphins!”
The ticket I purchased was for feeding the albatross and it didn’t include extras, but I was thrilled my two sailing buddies were up for a grand adventure. I was ready to only photograph our flying friends that day. I was unprepared for what followed.
We boated out a little farther into the ocean when Captain Mike killed the motor again. We waited for a few minutes and watched as about ten dolphins appeared. I had no intention of swimming and only packed what I thought I needed for the day with the albatross. I didn’t have a towel or swimsuit, just me with my camera and adventuresome spirit. I was completely unprepared to get wet, but found myself asking, “Is it alright if I swim with the dolphins?” Captain Mike smiled and gave me a thumbs up.
I immediately removed my clothes – save my bra and panties that weren’t matching but, thank goodness, were in good repair. I then handed Handsome Derek my camera.
The water was refreshing to say the least, and a bit of a shock at first. The dolphins swam circles around me and I felt their presence and beautiful spirit encircle me. What a lovely blessing to be alone with them in their own habitat. We swam together for fifteen minutes while Derek clicked a few shots of my new friends and scantily clad me. I climbed back into the boat and thankfully, a towel appeared from nowhere. I wrapped up and sat for a bit, absorbing the beautiful moments I shared with the lovely sea creatures. I dried off and Captain Mike said, “Let’s go visit the seals!”
He fired up the boat and we were off again. We rounded a corner near an outcropping of rocks and saw a pod of seals basking in the sun. I noticed a mama seal trying to convince her baby to swim and he wasn’t having any of it. She’d gently nudge him toward the water and the baby, with mouth wide open, growled back at this mother. Clearly, he was comfortable sunbathing on the rocks and didn’t want to be disturbed. She was having none of his nonsense, however and with a larger mouth, growled louder. Mama won and the two disappeared in the water.
We headed back to the dock having extinguished all three tours offered that day. I sat in the back of the boat basking in the sunshine and relishing my adventurous day on the water in Kaikoura. Many times later, I would relive the extraordinary experience through my hundreds of photos.
Many people ask me where my favorite place is on the planet and I’m hard pressed to name only one location. Having spent six weeks traveling both the north and south islands, I can honestly say New Zealand is in my top ten. This country was truly one of the most spectacular places on earth. The sights were unbelievably beautiful, the Kiwi’s were most friendly and helpful and the dollar exchange made the cost a bit easier to bear. I spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest and that may be part of my favoritism. Despite driving on the wrong side of the road and our language differences, I felt like I was home. In fact, that is what I tell most people, “If you want to travel abroad and still feel like you’re home, New Zealand is for you.”
http://www.kaikoura.co.nz/main/activities/
Comments
One response to “Removing My Clothes in New Zealand Part Three”
What a gift from the universe! But then it helps to be open too! Wonderful post.