The dolphin tour happened, and while it did rain for a while at the beginning, it turned out a really awesome day. We saw several schools of dolphins playing together – an incredible experience. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to go into the water with them, as they had a calf (born only that morning) with them, but it was breathtaking to see them so close and in freedom. Then the tour took us out to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, after which we had a lunch break on a nice beach. I even went for a swim in the ocean, my first time since arriving in New Zealand.
In the evening, Charlotte, myself and Anna (a Swiss girl in my dorm room) went out – for Swiss food! There seems to be a Swiss family living in Paihia, as we can see a chalet, complete with Swiss flag, from the hostel! 🙂
Today I went for a lovely hike through Opua forest and then back along the coastal path. I enjoyed some breathtaking views and didn’t even mind the rain so much, as it never got as strong as it was on Thursday. Back in Paihia, I spent some time sitting on the beach (sunny but a bit windy), talking to Roos, a Dutch girl from the hostel, who’ll be studying in Auckland.
Sadly Charlotte and Anna (who I’ll meet again, either in Coromandel next week or the week after that back in Wellington) have both left, but I’m sure I’ll be able to keep myself entertained – tomorrow with a daytrip to Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand. It’s going to be a long day, but well worth it, I think.