We left Ken, our host at Kaka Point, and his farming stories, after spending time trying to sort out the next few days and get some reservations. Tricky with spotty phone service and uncertain plans. Luckily, the drive to Dunedin was only 1 1/2 hours.
Dunedin is the Edinbourgh of the south, with much Scottish heritage. As we drove into the city, we were surprised both with its beauty and the fact that it had motorways and traffic lights... we have been in rural country for awhile! We arrived at the Brother's Boutique Hotel, a converted Christian Brothers residence across the street from the Catholic Cathedral, where the manager took us immediately in hand with maps and plans for the day ( and the definite attitude we were giving Dunedin short shrift and should skip Christ Church altogether!).
Armed with our maps, we walked to the city center and had a bite at a sidewalk cafe, stopping first at the Cathedral to say a prayer for Kathleen's boards. We visited the train station, the Presbyterian Cathedral, and an Anglican Church. Then we headed out to the Otago Peninsula to find some albatross...
It was a gorgeous one hour drive along the coast up to the Royal Albatross Preserve, where patience was rewarded with seeing a few huge birds in the sky over the nesting area. Magnificent. We drove to the Penguin Preserve, but decided our penguin-seeking budget and time had reached its limit. We took the high peninsula road back and had tremendous views to the sea in both directions. Hairy, narrow drives both ways, but worth it (thanks Driver Jim).
On our way back to the hotel, we swung by the university (just okay) and picked up some wine to enjoy on our balcony overlooking the city. Good conversation as we watched the sun fade...
Off to a local spot for some Emerson beer, haggis, and Scotch, then off to bed. Tomorrow is another big drive as we go past Christ Church to a farm stay on the Akoroa peninsula.
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