“I will not say "Do not weep", for not all tears are an evil.”

― The Lord of the Rings

On my way to the last stop in New Zealand, I spent a good amount of time at the Ōhau Point Lookout, which is known for a nearby fur seal colony.

At one point, another photographer pointed out dolphins in the ocean. While they were quite far away, it was interesting to see their acrobatic talents in action.

My trip ended in Kaikōura, with a rocky beach right next to my hostel.

I also visited the Kaikōura Seal Colony. There is a (rather symbolic) barrier to prevent people from coming too close to the fur seals, but the animals don't care. Some relaxed next to the main pathway.

Giving up the kayak-and-hike tour was a hard yet correct decision. My body appreciated a little rest, and I've been recovering quickly. Passing on what I imagined to be the highlight of the South Island was even more difficult, and I decided to YOLO accept the potential health consequences. I felt well enough for the Dolphin Encounter, a tour where you get to snorkel with wild dolphins in the ocean.

Before the tour, we were warned about high waves, low visibility and no 100% guarantee of actually spotting dolphins. However, I wasn't going to bail at this point.

After putting on the gear and watching a short introduction video, it was time for a boat trip.

Our experienced spotters quickly found the first dolphins.

I had only snorkeled once before, and it was a struggle back then. With the high waves and being far from shore, I was slightly anxious about the upcoming adventure. It went better this time, even though I was still getting water in my mask.

Now it was up to the dolphins to decide if we were interesting enough. They were somewhat curious but didn't stay in the same spot for long. I had some close encounters, which was a fascinating experience!

After four or five dives, it was time to go back. However, after spotting some whales jumping out of the water, the trip turned into a small whale-watching excursion! I only wish I had brought my camera with me.

This marks the end of my five-week New Zealand trip 🥲. I could have spent more time in this beautiful, diverse country, but I also wanted to see other interesting places. Stay tuned!