My senses awaken to the cry of discovery. The call comes from my little sister. I rush to the bow, tension turning to hope. I am filled with elation as the sight of four hectors dolphins greet me. I sit there watching their gleaming bodies move in time with the sea as it dips and dives. Groups of twos join us as time goes by until I have a pod of about twenty swimming at my feet. They seem to be curious. Every now and then they'll roll over and stare up at me, inviting me in. There is one in particular that seems to thrive on the cheers after a flip in the air.

As we turn back towards the habour the number of dolphins slowly disintegrates. The last few drop back to deeper waters where they will seek out other tourists to entertain and I am called in to the cabin for a hot chocolate. I rush back to share my experience to my parents in the cabin.