All manners of marine life!

Waking up with a slightly fuzzy head, but a shower and soon ready to go again! Bundling into the car, A, F, Al and myself were to visit Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. The area was particularly established for the hoards visiting for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but has since become a rather popular little spot. A team runs around the area and there are several walkways, viewing tours and bridges. Playgrounds paddling pools and even a rogue piano filled the Harbour front! It was a fantastic area, and lined with several great restaurants and cafes. A quick hot chocolate stop and we were soon up at the waterfront again. It was here we had first surprise of the day - a fur seal near the walkway! It was a gorgeous little seal playing away on its own in the shallow depths, and a joy to watch. A nice little picnic and it was soon time for me to wave goodbye to the others. It has been fantastic to see them, with the boys a delight! A shame they live so far away, but lovely to see when the opportunity arises. A has looked after me well and given me great insight/knowledge into Auckland and where to shop and visit etc.
With my camera packing itself in this morning I had to RUN and buy a new one, as a MUST for the next activity. I was booked on to a four and a half hour Whale and Dolphin Safari. With the sun beaming down it's glorious ways, and the ocean like a millpond / an absolutely gorgeous and exciting afternoon. Very soon after getting out of the harbour we came across the second treat of the day - a 30 strong pod of Common Dolphins. Surfing the bow of the boat and feeding, they were fab to watch! Hanging around a while we moved onto our next spot, and saw what I was really hoping to see for the first time in the wild! A whale!! We saw the spume of water coming from the blow hole up ahead and made stead! We came up close and it was a Bryde's whale! It was amazing to see, and such a rare opportunity. I thought my day couldn't get any better, when we headed to deeper waters, and found a collection of 6 of these whales within the same reach. The views were splendid of arching backs and dorsal find everywhere. The most striking point when one came close to the side of the boat emerging and blowing up water - a moment I shall never forget!! So several whales, more dolphins than I could count, and a seal were all viewed today - in the most fantastic weather that I must admit has left my cheeks a little touched by the sun!
Meeting the cousins and aunt and uncle in town it was soon dinner time. We met and headed to Monsoon Poon - an Asian fusion restaurant. The food was incredible. One dish which stood out, ordered by Thea, was firecracker chicken - one quick taste of sauce and it was so hot it numbed my mouth for almost the rest of the meal. Again full to the brim and time to head home. Not drinking today, I was to be the responsible driver home :/. Concerning. My first trip on Kiwi Roads. Nowhere near as bad as I thought, but difficult as I had no idea where we were going! What seemed like an endless journey and we are home. Time to run through the activities of the week, journal, check my photographs, and prepare for bed! My last 2 full days from tomorrow - needed as a relaxing weekend i think!!