Day with the Dolphins, and a Hole in a Rock

Mind Your Head, said the slightly awkward, lowered doorway sign on the 'Let's Search for Dolphins' boat - reminding me that, yes, New Zealand is very connected to the lands of the Queen.  

I will very soon be working reception at the hostel where I work for accommodation and was able to go on a "Famil" tour to hopefully sight dolphins, get a different perspective of the Bay of Islands, and visit the Hole in the Rock - a very natural sightseeing sight that features...can you guess??  That would be correct, a hole in a rock.  29 points for you!

Famil = familiarization...so I am now familiar with the tour and can sell it to the masses.  Everyone wins!

First the boat made some brief stops at a few of the smaller neighboring islands.  Most of these islands have something of an entertaining story usually - and sadly, involving battle and death.  But now that are peaceful, quiet little lands minding their own business with the occasional landowner and holiday home occupying a chunk of space.

See the human in between the two islands?  It almost looks like he/she's walking on water!

The boat meandered to a couple more scenic spots and then the intercom declared "Dolphins have been spotted!" and we were off to the lands unknown.

The bay where we ended up certainly had dolphins.  Apparently over 40, but they were dispersed in search of fish to consume to increase the fat on their bellies for the continuation of winter.  Plenty came up to our water floating device (the boat) to say hello.  Genuinely intriguing creatures, these ocean swimmers - so curious and friendly, yet totally doing their own thing as well.  We were happy that they were happy to say hello!

This one just said "hello" and decided to peace out for this pic.

I made this pic extra big so you can see the fish in it's mouth!  Mmmm, fresh fish!

We gawked at the dolphins for 45 minutes or so, then we were off to the Hole in the Rock - about a ten minute boat ride away.  The whole is gigantic and the boat we were on could have motored through it if the seas and swells were calmer.  They weren't.  So we didn't.   

The hole is deceptively small...cause the boat is further away than it may appear.  That's me, by the way!

Overall, I enjoyed a beautiful half day on the water checking out the Bay of Islands and seeing a few playful dolphins.  Not a bad day at all!  And after that I even ran in my new shoes...check out the wear on my old shoes...see:

I've gratefully been running injury free (and I've been running A LOT) despite my not so happily treaded shoes...and I give a good chunk of credit to Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Ever Seen,  by Christopher McDougall.  This book altered my running ways forever.  I firmly believe now that proper form is heaps more important and effective than the device that goes on your foot.

Entertaining read, too...even if running isn't your thing.

And just to be like the dolphins, I finally took the plunge...into the winter ocean...in just my bathing suit, swim cap and goggles...OhEmGee!!  The outside temperature was 14*c (58*F) and the water temperature was about 16*C (61*F).  It was extremely frigid and delightfully refreshing as well.

One day, I hope to swim as fast as the dolphins...one day.  I think it would be super fun to jump into the air and flip from the water as well.

Countdown to London: 18 days!