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Where was that?

They are not seasonal. The tours run every day except Christmas Day, obviously weather permitting. I think that we were particularly lucky to see three, but it seems non-sightings are rare. Scope their website: Kia Ora! As told to us, the sperm whales that hang out at Kaikoura are all...

The second boat closes in. Well, that was pretty good! Time to head inshore and scope a large pod of frisky dusky dolphins, a smaller species than bottlenose dolphins. They have a characteristic group feeding behaviour. A few circle a school of fish from below, while one leaps out of the...

That was number one; two more would follow. The second one mooched about on the surface for a while, then slowly sank to have a sleep. The third one dived. Albatrosses kept wheeling by. Giant petrel.

A major attraction of Kaikoura is whale-watching. Just a short distance offshore, the ocean depth plunges to well over 1000m in the Kaikoura Canyon and is home to sperm whales. The picturesque backdrop of the mountains extending right to the coast adds to the attraction. Off we go in classic NZ...

WASO + soprano + WAPOL Pipe Band = sensational rendition of The Skye Boat song. PERfect night. 😎

Now interval at the annual taking in a bit of WASO with an excellent soprano at a Night On Bay View in PERfect Claremont Park. Bonus appearance by the WA Police Pipe Band at the end of the first half.

Friends of mine are going PER-SIN leaving this weekend on IIRC Silversea Nova. Apparently it's working through from MEL and there were some good deals for the PER-SIN leg. Any particular tips from the Silversea brains' trust that I should pass on for SS first-timers ?

I'm generally not a buyer of straight packs, especially dozens. For a handful of $$ more - but 2 fewer points :eek: - I prefer this mixed case: Buy Get Ready To Travel Mixed Dozen | Qantas Wine There are a couple of unusual ones there that may surprise.

Possibly a cancelled export order or remaindered?

Too many to pick a favourite, so here's the lot:

Time to load the ‘Xplorers’, and head for Bluff, with disembarkation next morning and the end of a great voyage. We transferred to IVC to collect a rental car and head north in warm, sunny conditions to Wanaka for two nights. The weather was about to change with a system moving in from the west...

After dinner, departing Milford Sound and heading S. Next destination Solander Island. Solander Island is a rocky outcrop not suitable for landing. It’s noted as an albatross breeding site. The nesting season was just getting going.

Covid killed my 2020 booked trip to those places. Too late now and changed circumstances means it won't happen. Thanks for taking me vicariously.

Afternoon excursion in the ‘Xplorers’. After dinner, departing Milford Sound and heading S. Next destination Solander Island.

First activity, Zodiac excursions to Stirling Falls. Our turn. Cloud beginning to burn off. Awwww…, so cuuute…

Next morning entering Milford Sound. The cloud would later burn off. Milford Sound is an iconic destination in NZ, being along with Mt Cook the most visited places in the country. Stirling Falls. 155m drop. The ship turned into the small bay near the head of the fiord. It’s too deep to...

Well, I did wonder...

Cyclepath/psychopath.

On the way back to the ship. The water is so clear. That afternoon we moved from Doubtful Sound to Poison Bay to overnight in readiness for an early morning entry to iconic Milford Sound. Another ship, the name of which I can’t recall, was heading S straight past Doubtful Sound. Poison Bay.