DAY SIXTEEN -- EIGHTH OF SEPTEMBER  -KAIKAURA.

Today is Henry's birthday. He had a great day. We are at Kaikaura and went whale watching this morning. Guaranteed to see a whale or 80% of your money back! The weather was overcast in the morning (sunny photos are from the afternoon) The beach is a long one and we met at the whale centre and then a bus of 46 people to the boat.

A reasonable but still a bit bumpy ride and we were in search of the resident enormous male sperm whale  who lives in the bay. At one stage I thought we'd get our money back ...but ...no. "there he blows" in all his glory, staying on the surface for several minutes and then with a flip of his tail he was gone!

Small seals, sea birds and dolphins also put on a small display and the morning was wonderful. we also two other whales spouting... travelling through on their migration.

Henry stayed up on deck with the big camera and captured these good shots

I think it was the coldest I have ever been on the deck...three thick layers and frozen!

We finished about 1.30 and chowder, coffee and birthday cake were very welcome. Henry went quickly down to the water and took a couple of photos in the sunshine....while I appreciated the electric blanket very much.

We decided after our big lunch that a takeaway burger was dinner! this motel unit is very spacious and like almost all the places we have stayed in we can make our own breakfast and there is a microwave. Some of the places also have enough equipment to make an easy dinner.

New Zealanders that we've come across are very friendly. Those running businesses are very grateful for trade (after cover) but it's coming back very slowly.