Breakfast in the stable, with the original cobble floor, was
rather interesting. We first had a walk around Larnach castle thanks to Nikki
from the RSPB. The library, nannny’s room, master bedroom with panoramic views,
the spiral staircase to the tower with amazing views of the Otago peninsula. We
then drove further along the peninsula to the Monarch wildlife cruise, a
smaller boat than usual. It started very calm, but 10 minutes in, it was a
different story. I’ve heard of the roaring forties before, but oh my gosh. The
swell was huge and we were rocking back and forth. This is when Ali went green.
We saw fur seals, albatross flying in the distance, shags.
Our next visit was thanks to Carol, a trip to the royal
albatross centre. We first saw a video, then walked to the hide and saw 6
albatross on their nests. At 30 degrees and no wind, they were just trying to
keep cool and not fly. We saw lots of shags and red beaked gulls from the hide.
We even found out about lesbian albatross who takes care of orphans!
We were certainly doing the Dunedin trio, the castle, the
penguins, the albatross. Our next stop was the yellow eyed penguins at Penguin
Place. There are covered rat runs to get between the hides, and they work, we
were able to stand right in front of a yellow eyed penguin and chick. You could
see the yellow iris so clearly. We also saw blue penguins in their little
houses, some paradise ducks and some fur seals on the most gorgeous beach. We
were shown around by a lovely guide, a French guy travelling around, but when
he found out that Ali also did zoology, that was it. Then he found out that we
were married, and he said he thought that I looked homosexual! My response was
‘well Ali is’. That was a first.
On to Nuggets Point and a walk to the lighthouse, in 32
degree heat. Odd to think that only 2 days ago it snowed! We then drove to
Owaka and our motel in the Catlins National Park.
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