if i died right now, i'd be happy

currently in christchurch, the biggest city in the south island. only have a few hours to tool around here... just had a fantastic pub lunch and now writing to you all.

this morning's activity was one theeee most amazing experiences i think i will EVER have. i SWAM WITH WILD DOLPHINS!!!!!!!! i had no idea how cool this was gonna be. was sort of dreading having to get up at 4:30am to go and do it, but i was hoping it'd be worth it. and was it ever! there was a slight chance you might not be able to get in with them (if there were babies in the pack), but luckily we got to. i can officially say i have conquered any sort of fear of the ocean after today. i was fully suited up in a wet suit (water was 12 degrees C), mask, flippers, snorkel, the whole bit. we had to sit at the edge of a the boat and just hop into the open water when it was ok to go. and i had no fear what so ever!

let me set up the back drop first... we were in kaikoura, which happens to be the best place to see marine wildlife. we were out in the middle of the bay and in the distance were big green grass covered hills and beyond that were snow capped mountains (a view beyond description). anyway, the dusky dolphins gather in this certain area because there is always food (there is a huge cavern below the ocean that creates the food resources). we were briefed on how to get the dolphins attention when you're out in the water with them (as sometimes they will take an interest in you and sometimes they will not). well today they sure as hell did! when i first put my face in the water, i started making a rolling sound with my tongue. as soon as i did this, 2 dolphins came right up to me! i couldn't believe how close they came. they also told us if you look them in the eye, they will do circles around you. so as soon as i got comfortable swimming with them, i did that, and sure enough, i would have 2 and 3 dolphins at a time circling around me and literally playing games with me! i was just smiling through my snorkel. couldn't believe how cool it was!

we were out with them for about 30 minutes. my feet were freezing, but i couldn't get enough of them. most people had gone back to the boat by that time, but i just wanted MORE interaction. i finally got the nerve to dive down with them. when you did this, they really loved it. more circling and playing. the coolest was they would come up from the dark water below and charge straight for you and then do a quick turn to miss you and then swim around and around. oh my god, i don't think i'll ever have an experience like that again. i'm so tired from getting up and swimming around in deep surge-y water, but i'm reeling from my time with wild dolphins!

tomorrow: grade 5 white water rafting!!!!!!!! this trip is too freaking good to be true!