Done in Dunedin
25 March 2009 | South Island
Sancho
The seasons are changing and it's time to call a halt to the road trip and get back to Whangarei, haul the boat for a routine fresh-up and get on with getting ready to head North in search of a new adventure.
Dunedin was an interesting city, dominated by impressive old (by New Zealand standards) buildings and a statue of Robbie Burns overlooking the central square. The regular train doesn't come to Dunedin anymore, but there is a sightseeing train over the mountains to the West Coast. There was a wedding at the station while we were wandering around... and I was pleased to see Barbie alive and well as a hood ornament on a limo.
I finally got to see my Penguins. Although the trip out the Otago Peninsula was plagued by wet and dreary weather, it was a fine climax to the tour of South Island.
By the time we'd left Christchurch, sleeping in the van was no longer comfortable. For a few bucks more we could stay in one of the Holiday Park basic cabins. Actually being able to stand up while you pull on your pants is more of a big deal than it might seem, but I ain't twenty six anymore. Know what I mean, Verne?
The gregarious little Blue Penguins aren't endangered. The more solitary Yellow Eyed are. The former is about the size as an American Crow while the Yellow Eyed Penguin stands around twelve inches high. They're both protected so this isn't like viewing them in the wild. Most access is tightly controlled to preserve their habitat.
We tried to take a different route back north as driving South Island is tedious. The roads are narrow and windy. You can't take your eyes off the road for a second, making sightseeing while driving a life threatening experience... not to mention monotonous. We hope to be back this way, maybe next year, but will chose the train and plane options in order to avoid White Line Fever.
We found a great little side trip to see these bizzare round rocks that erode out of the beach berm. You just have to be open to stomping the brakes, turning around, and go back when you see something promising. Where else do you have to go in such a big hurry? Relax. Enjoy.