Cream Trip round the Bay and another sun halo

Best laid plans and all that went out of the window today. Hadn't planned on doing a boat trip because of the cost but the 'Cream Trip- Day in the Bay' (seven hours ) was too good an opportunity to miss. "Hang the expense," we said "Doubt if we will ever do NZ again" and so we parted with over $200 and set off for what turned out to be a brilliant day.

From the campervan site was just a 15-minute walk to the boat

 Sun shone on the emerald waters and hardly a breath of wind to cause a ripple. Ideal conditions for Dolphin watching and yes we saw the Dolphins. Not just Bottlenose but Common as well. Then there were the seabirds and what we first thought to be a shark fin but turned out to be a Sunfish. The islands were pretty spectacular and the 'Hole in the Rock', well that was an experience. A large vessel, small hole with a bit of a swell....get the picture? Anyway I make no apologies for the number of photos posted

Leaving the wharf

Fish feeding frenzy

Russel Island

There is a Tall ship race on tomorrow and we were lucky enough to see this one getting ready.

Black rock

Looks just like a shark fin

'Hole in the Rock' Big ship...small hole and lots of water turbulence.

Here we go.

Safely out the other side.

Had a lunch stop at Otehei Bay on Urupulapuka Island.

And a sun halo appeared

And then there were the Bottlenose Dolphins

Mum and Calf

Cute

Fairy Penquins

Shearwater

Cormorant

Not a shark fin as first thought but a Sunfish

Then came the Common Dolphins

And finally a Gannett.