South Island Saga: Dunedin continues to impress

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you already know that Jeanne and I have been exploring, together with an adventurous group of individuals and couples from our retirement village, on the South Island of New Zealand.   

Some of the people out in Henderson who saw us leave our village, if they referred to us and wished to be politically correct, might have described us as mature, or senior when they spoke to others about seeing us ride by, but to themselves they might have chuckled about the tour bus they saw filled to busting with geezers from the old folk's home.   

They would not be aware of the 12 days, 11 night epic journey we were starting. Nor would they know of the endless kilometers of roads we'd travel, the sights we'd see, the wild creatures we'd photograph, the winds, waves, snow and fogs we'd survive. (with ease) 

They would not have recognized that each of our group, despite having lived for so very many years, had lived those years well. To a man or woman, each of us could boast that like Moses, his eye was not dim, nor her vigor abated.  We were a hearty crew.  

I have already shown you two very short posts about the beginnings of our tour. With this post, I am going to expand the number of pictures up to my usual level.  

I hope that you enjoy my South Island Saga over the coming weeks.   

Dunedin enjoys many 'claims to fame.'  The first one we surveyed was the famous Baldwin Street, the world's steepest street. 

I think that if it had not been for our tight schedule, several of our group would have opted to climb the thing to it's top. 

Just below, you'll find a link to a fun event held on this steepest of streets.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U6p8oemFYM

You can see that Dunedin's weather is not as balmy as Auckland's. Jeanne has several layers on.  We are on our way to the harbor, where we will board a boat for a four hour cruise out through the 'Heads' (Headlands) into the Pacific, and back.  

Before the harbor though, we stopped at a scenic overlook above the city.

The next two shots are of figures on a memorial to the pioneers that first settled Dunedin.  

This is a view of Dunedin and its harbor. Notice that there is a relatively narrow strip of land at one point between the harbor and the Pacific Ocean. The actual harbor extends for 12 miles to the left of this picture before it reaches the ocean. 

A proposal was made during the Second World War, according to our bus driver and tour guide Alan, by the United States, who had soldiers stationed here, that their Corps of Engineers could assist New Zealand in building a channel through that strip of land, making the ocean much more accessible. Obviously, it was never done.  

The next series of pictures were taken aboard the boat that took us the length of the harbor and out past the Heads into the Pacific.  

The trip out to the ocean was beautiful, albeit cold and windy.  Shortly after I took this picture, the crew came around with knee-length, oversize jackets that would further protect us from the elements during the cruise.  Many people took advantage of this additional layer.  

This is Larnach Castle.

A white capped albatross. (I'm pretty sure) 

A close up side view

A fur seal basking, partially covered in sand. 

The Heads are coming up.

Well, by reading this post, you've started on your own personal mini-saga, retracing our footsteps and following our wake, as we learned about a whole new kind of New Zealand.  

We learned that this part of the country can be rough.  One day, we had such winds, well, I've never, ever, felt stronger.  They would have actually been dangerous to a child. You'll see where soon.  

But it was a thrill.  The whole trip was, despite some long days and challenges to our stamina. Each night, we had a happy hour, a great meal and a really comfortable bed. Breakfasts were amazing. 

Several choices of cereals, fruits, both dried and fresh, juices, choices of baked goods, two kinds of eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and more.  

I'm going to continue with the sights around the heads in the next post. We'll also cruise back to Dunedin and then head for Invercargill and some wild weather.  

See you next time.   -djf