Day 7 Dunedin

 

New Zealand adventure day 7.

 

Our plan today was an early sightseeing trip, followed by lunch back at the motel, before heading to our afternoon tour.

It was a bit of an early start, for Robbie 😉, despite slight rain when I woke and still being overcast when we headed out we decided to test our luck and see how far we could get.

Our first stop was Unity Park Lookout.  This showed a beautiful view of the Harbor.  Alas the overcast skies did not help with the photographs. 

Next we headed into the Centre of town where we planned to do a walk to see some of the street art that adorned the buildings.

As parking in the city is really quite expensive we decided to cut the viewing time and so only saw a few of the art pieces on offer, some others we did not find. There is a lot of construction going on so we were not really sure if they have been covered, or removed.  What we saw was very good.  

We also decided that this was a city of churches.  Some beautiful old buildings.

Our next stop was to Baldwin Street - famous for being the steepest street in the world.  The photos we took really do not pay justice to the up gradient of this street.  Driving up the street to take a look is not allowed, and we had no intention of walking up it, so this is the view you get 🤣. 

Back to the motel then for lunch and a quick change of shoes before heading to the Royal Albatross Centre at Harrington Point at the end of the Otago Peninsula.  Our tour was amazing.  

 

After a short talk and a video we headed off to see these magnificent birds.

Sheep with tails 

Gull with baby chick

Before reaching the viewing platform we said a quick hello to the resident sheep who apparently are in charge of fire control.  Then we spent time in the nesting area of the red-billed gulls.  They are supposed to be endangered, but the numbers here are certainly plentiful.  We did see some very cute and fluffy chicks.  

After a bit of an uphill walk we reached the albatross viewing area.  There were just a few that could be seen from the cliffs, and a few that were flying around.  For their size they move so quickly and it was hard to get good photos.  At the suggestion of the guide we took video and will pull shots from there for later.  They are so graceful in the air, and not too bad at landing.  We also got to pick up some replica birds of different ages.  Man they are heavy.  I could not even lift the 6 month old chick.  

The second half of our tour involved seeing Fort Taiaroa, built in 1885 and home of the famous Armstrong Disappearing Gun.  

Disappearing Gun model in action

The history of this fort and the gun was very interesting, and to have it built that long ago.  Another interesting fact is that it was never used in battle and had only been fired in practice - apart from being used to welcome an admiral who wished a majestic entrance to the harbor - so theoretically still practice. 😉. 

Gun swivels - Loading end

replica shell used in the gun

Of course at the end we needed to take a quick walk to get a view of the lighthouse.  Getting closer is not possible due to it being in the middle of the albatross nesting area.

Then it was the long drive home around the bay.

Two very tired and extremely happy campers tonight.

Things I learned today

There are chemists called ‘Antidote’.  Not sure of it is a chain or a generic term.

We pass a school called Valley ‘Normal’ School.  We were quite amused but on googling we were impressed to find it is a school that partners with a Uni to provide a practical learning environment for student teachers.  (Liz)

All for now.  Keep enjoying life lovelies.

Rob and Liz 

A couple of videos 

Seagull chick

Albatross gliding

Ok my next installment of random stuff in NZ Vol 2

You can still buy and use vapes over here.

Also you can buy and use fireworks for Guy Fawkes Day - use within the week.

Road sign again - No Exit = means - no through road.

Chemists inside of Woolworths.

Also you can buy booze in Woolies.

Stay tuned for my next installment 😀

Rob