Kaikoura, Aotearoa, New Zealand – Where I Saw My Very Own Blue Whale!
If you follow me on Facebook, you may have already seen a couple of photos taken on the beach at Kaikoura, the venue for my very first ever ever helicopter ride. Mountains, sea, whale, dolphins all from a clear blue sky.
A Maze Ing!!! Kaikoura isn’t just about whales though, the land dwelling locals have a fun sense of humour with street artwork…
And seagulls I’m not familiar with, any one know why this one is ‘cuffed’? Love his red eye lid to match the feet and bill!
Like my little shell collection?
Years ago I started collecting a shell or pebble from places I’ve visited. Some as gifts, especially heart shaped. Others to join a huge jar full at home. Memories in a jar, each one unique and tactile. It’s only one tiny pebble and only ever taken from places that aren’t too delicate or protected. Think municipal beach not wildlife preserve. All these shells are still where I placed them, near a deserted run down beach house if you want to go looking. I wonder if anyone else has added to my artwork.
We noticed there weren’t many places to eat in Kaikoura, maybe because we were a little early in the season. It didn’t matter as we were in our hired camper van which served us well, bless her.
My most awesome memory, ever.
How privileged were we to see this, an adolescent Blue Whale? Don’t worry about the whale watching boat, they followed him for a very short time, at a polite distance and he seemed happy as they turned away to leave him to his wet world and expanse of pristine waters. He swam away, dipping, diving, surfacing and spouting to his heart’s content as they, and we, left. I wanted to include this image just to give you a true idea of this teenager’s size IMMENSE!
“…Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. These magnificent marine mammals rule the oceans at up to 100 feet (30 meters) long and upwards of 200 tons (181 metric tons). Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant. Their hearts, as much as an automobile.
Blue whales reach these mind-boggling dimensions on a diet composed nearly exclusively of tiny shrimplike animals called krill. During certain times of the year, a single adult blue whale consumes about 4 tons (3.6 metric tons) of krill a day…”
You may also like:
https://www.christieadamswriter.com/maori-hangi/
http://www.backpackerguide.nz/blog/
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