Seeing as I was SO good at keeping up with this blog before, thought I’d have another crack at it now that I’m some 11,000 miles away from most of you. Its my third day in New Zealand, my first was mostly spend wondering groggily around the centre of Christchurch (not wanting to venture too far away from the bus station in my jetlagged state). Ashamed to say I actually sat in Starbucks for a few hours in the afternoon just to kill some time! Then I got on the bus to Kaikoura, the (incredibly tiny) town I will be calling home for the next 3 months. The place is absolutely beautiful, which I guess makes up for the lack of…most things! When I arrived all my housemates were partying, which meant I had a pretty cool welcome (it involved toast and beer – not sure it could have been better!)
Beach at Kaikoura.
Today was my first day volunteering for the Sperm whale project (NB – that’s the species’ name, the project has nothing to do with whale sperm). At the moment we are doing land-based observations as the research boat is out of action. This pretty much involves tracking the whales from land, recording when they surface, and then how often they blow, until they fluke and dive again. Hopefully with a bit of practice they will get easier to spot, as its almost impossible to see them when there are no whale watching boats ganging up on them. So, in short, I spent a day sat on top of a hill in the sunshine, not bad really!
Whale watching.
On the way back into town, we had to stop the car because of the immense cow (well…bulls actually) fight that was happening in the middle of the road. Actually had to back the car up to move out of the way haha! Thats how things roll in NZ ; )
Beach, I am on one.
Tonight my roomate Leila and I, and also Danny (both volunteers for the project) are going to an “open mic night” at one of the local bars (I use the term loosely because apparently there is only one band). Some of the other guys from the house might come as well, and Tom (a guy who works on one of the whale watching boats) said he might even play guitar if he goes! I only have $25 to last me until Monday, so can probably only afford 3 drinks, but its better than none! But anyway I’m off to get out of my pyjamas and into something more suitable for being out in public, and also to make dinner (mmm supernoodles). Miss everyone back home! Love.
xxx
