Had the highlight of New Zealand for Leala today, swimming with dolphins. Really brilliant! Jill and I watched. Ben fell asleep [photo]. Slept the whole trip, probably the best thing. Only a small boat and a small group of us, half a dozen or so swimming, the others watching. Leala was the youngest and the only girl. She did really well. Several comments made. Not phased at all by the cold water, the distance from shore, or being alone with the dolphins. She really enjoyed it, cold but happy at the end [photo]. Well chuffed! Cruised from Akaroa to find the dolphins, no guarantee there’d be any. Wild Hector dolphins, the smallest type of dolphin and only resident around New Zealand. There’s no enticing or attracting them it’s their choice whether they stay around or not. Swimmers are wet-suited up beforehand and given mask and snorkel [photo], then at the dolphins, are free to join them and swim amongst them. We looked on from the boat and tried to give Leala instruction to where we could see dolphins, but she was in amongst them and at times with dolphins all round her [photo]. Noticed a couple of the older guys swimming made sure Leala was OK. One guy came out soon after going in because of the cold and because he’d not been swimming for so many years. He just watched. Instructions prior to leaving said not to touch the dolphins, given they’re wild and could bite, but Leala had one brush by her [photo]. Weather was fantastic and made the day extra enjoyable, and the organisers said that it had been one of the longer and best outings this season. A view endorsed by one of the crew who got changed and joined in the experience.