Monarch Cruise

Before actually coming to NZ, one of the most popular questions I got when I disclosed the location of my semester abroad was, "Why New Zealand?" Truth be told, I never understood the question. After all, why not New Zealand? But that's beside the point. Today's post will show why I came to New Zealand. 

A definite benefit of coming to Otago is that the university has a great international student program, which offers international students reduced rates on cool touristy things. The train ride was one such program (that was free), and yesterday I got reduced rates on the Monarch Cruise, which is akin to the Maid of the Mist, with albatrosses, shags, seal pups, and sea lions in place of Niagara Falls.

If there is anything that holds a candle to my love of trees and hills, its oceans and other substantial bodies of water. Large puddles never count, for those of you smart alecks out there.

The cruise went the length of the Otago Harbor and included a view of lumber yards, where pine logs are exported. Remember that NZ is a HUGE pine exporter.

We also saw a few seal pup colonies/poo piles, since the pups really did look like wee poos on the rocks. I know there are a bunch of seal lovers (sorry, Libby) out there trying to find their jaws which have fallen to the floor. But really, the only cute seal pups are the white arctic kind. Not the the brown pooey ones. And seals are mean. 

Not a seal, but a New Zealand Sea Lion (very rare):

Anyway, the point is that I loved being on the ocean, even though it was quite chilly (translation: bloody cold) on the boat. And, for those of you who had to listen to me yap about albatross colonies, ALBATROSSES ARE THE COOLEST BIRDS EVER. In my next life, I want to be an albatross. Here's a solid 2:34 of pure joy:

Actually, watching the albatross fly in real life is amazing. Words cannot describe the grace and speed of the birds. (And I can't either.)

Oh yeah, and another instance of Kiwi insanity: winter jet skiing. Just pop on a wet suit and we're good to go...