New Zealand, Part II

The day began with our alarm going off at the unpleasant hour of 6:00 AM.  However, today was the day that we were going to go whale watching so we were both happy to be awake (well, at least I was happy to be awake).  After gathering all of the essentials (sweatshirts, cameras, and water bottles) we headed outside to catch the bus to the airport.  After waiting for only a few minutes, we saw the bus coming toward us, so we stood up in anticipation.  As it approached, it didn’t seem to be slowing down, so we both gave a gentle wave to the driver.  A few seconds later, the bus was still barreling down the freeway and we both began frantically waving our arms toward the driver.  No dice.  He completely ignored us and continued to drive down the road.  Disheartened, we went back into the nice heated hotel lobby to wait for another hour before the next bus came.

After it had been nearly an hour, we went outside to try to board the bus for a second time.  From the second we heard the bus, we began waving like lunatics so that our intention to board the bus would be crystal clear.  This time, it worked and we were dropped off at the the airport.  As we entered, we both realized that we weren't exactly sure of where the rental car company was located, so we roamed around for a few minutes until our eyes fell upon something amazing.  Our mouths gaped open upon seeing this magical thing, and we both slowly turned our heads toward each other and gave a small nod as to say "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?...Yeah."

What was the amazing site?  It was only one of the best American creations: Dunkin' Donuts.  But before indulging ourselves, we still really needed to find the rental car company.  As we were walking to the far end of the airport, I happened to look out the window and saw that the company was located right across the street.  We decided that while Kelley got everything settled with the car, I would be in charge of purchasing everything that Dunkin' Donuts had to offer--which was no small task!  The lady working seemed to be surprised with the sheer number of sweet, doughy creations that I was purchasing (and no, I will NOT disclose how many I bought...) but she was also happy because no one had probably ever spent the amount of money that I was about to spend.

Like a proud parent showing off a child, I walk toward the rental car smiling and showing off my white Dunkin' Donuts bag.  I didn't have to ask a passerby if he or she was jealous--I simply knew that they were all insanely envious of my investment.  I piled into the car with my prized possessions and we began to head north toward Paihia--a three hour drive.  Upon arrival, we walked around to check out the local scene which was pretty much non-existent.  For some strange reason (which may or may not be directly attributed to Dunkin' Donuts) we weren't hungry, so we both just grabbed a drink and headed to our boat for the tour.

As it would turn out, the boat was quite luxurious and offered plenty of room to stretch out and relax as it made its way toward deeper waters.  Kelley and I decided to venture outside after a few minutes and we ended up being some of the first people to see two Bryde's whales--a mother and calf.  The whales stuck around for a half hour or so, but right before they left a pod of Common Dolphins approached the boat.  

They were hunting fish which was a very cool site to see!  

Kelley wanted to be right in the middle of the action, and since she couldn't be in the water, she laid her body down on the on a platform at the bow so that her head and camera were hovering just above the water.  

Mom and calf!

After another half hour or so, the dolphins also left the boat and we once again continued along our path. 

We saw some incredibly gorgeous sites as the boat was passing near the coastline such as an old lighthouse and the world famous "Hole in the Rock." 

The boat received a call from a nearby boat telling us that a pod of Bottlenose dolphins had been spotted nearby, so we changed course and headed in the general direction of the dolphin sighting.  We passed along a beach with several people on it (despite that fact that it was only about 55 degrees Fahrenheit).  Much to our surprise, one man was standing on the beach completely nude! 

One of them is nude.

Everyone on the boat began laughing uncomfortably and when the man realized that everyone could see him, he promptly covered himself up with a towel.  

It began to get late and since there were no dolphins to be found, we headed back to port and called it a day.  

Two islands that look like dolphin and shark dorsal fins.

Unfortunately, we still had to drive three hours back to Auckland, but as we began approaching the city the sun was setting which made for a beautiful scene to end our long, but very exciting day.  When we got back to our room that night, we packed up all of our belongings and went to sleep--the next day we were headed to the South island to see the beautiful city of Queenstown.