Albatrosses

Downside of being at a touristic hot-hotspot: al the activities have to be pre-booked far in advance. Thus, whalewatching wasn’t possible anymore. Also the Maori-tour: not available. Wasn’t aware of that until I came here. Though, what is possible?

Found a albatross-encounter tour! Loved to see these magnificant birds! And I saw, that along the coastline is a kind of Maori Art Trail. Lots and lots of statues, great paintings, little marks and sometimes just a remark of the importance of a spot. What a amazing source of history, traditions and acknowledgement! The artwork package provides to the guardianship of the area, refers to the sea (dolphins, seals,…) Whaling as theme is used to connect between maori- and non-maori cultures, involved in whaling back in the time. There is focus on the land, providing for live (food/cabbage tree, water/a spring lost due to the earthquake, weaving materials/rock daisies, waka making/totara tree). The steps up to a viewing point carved with the whakapapa (genealogical line) of locals. In this culture, your name states all your ancestors (about 48 generations, maternal and paternal line) until the waka, the first of your family came on land here. Knowing your family line, sharing it, when you introduce yourself, gives others the oppertunity to connect with, when somewhere along the line, a shared ancestor appears. When this doesn’t happen, you try to find a connection in other ways: landscapes, rivers, events you have been to. Basically, the conversation doesn’t start until you’ve found some connection. We do have similar rituals, maybe not that strictly…
Along the artwork path, murials, palisades, landscaping the viewing spots with native plants connected to the story of this place makes that everything is there for a reason. Love how much efforts went into a connecting, holistic approach!

And then, the albatrosses. 

We went with a little boat, just 9 people, along the coastline to a spot, albatrosses were often seen. On the way, we saw Huttons Shearwater, Northern giant petrel, and finally several soorts of albatrosses. Loved to see the flights, landing, interaction. 

At the end, we had to shorten the trip: a storm was coming in and the waves became a bit high. At this point, the albatrosses started to play with the winds, gracefully gliding on the wind, moving through the air with any efforts. So impressive to watch! The way back became a bit spectacular, the captain moved with ease through the waves, prevented us from too harsh movements. Quite an experience!

On my way back to the backpackers, I had an early dinner. Sea Platter. You can’t stay at the coastline without eating from the sea. Do you agree?

(albatross foto’s when I can upload, again)