Dunedin Doings

Packed, picnic baskets brimming, big hugs with family, and we were off to Dunedin. Best in New Zealand not to make the journey a ‘straight arrow’, but to stop along the way to explore and wonder at the beauty. First stop – the Moeraki Boulders – large boulders that dot the sand…and a coffee at the coastal café. Then on to Caroline Bay – in Timaru where it was time for a picnic by the sea and a walk on the new boardwalk.

Next, Omauru…a port city built on the wealth of gold mines, farming and freezer works. Sand stone buildings bring to mind London Streets and New York’s financial district. The next morning, we continued to Dunedin.

South Island weather defines ‘changeable’. As we drove south, the weather changed and changed again. Sunshine, gale winds, hale, rain, sunshine, gale winds, hale rain…we arrived at our apartment in sheets of rain…right by the sea.

The hale bounced off the front deck..and ocean skies were black. Picture windows everywhere looked out at the Pacific…and it was perfect. Brian arrived from Christchurch – with chilly bins packed – and Eric picked Lauren and Sam up at the train station.

After 3 magical days in Queenstown, Sam and Lauren had taken the Taieri Gorge, a vintage train from central Otago to Dunedin. The next morning, the Dunedin explore began.

First stop, the train station – location of New Zealand’s Sports Hall of Fame: an hour to spend with runners, net ball players, golfers, long distance runners, and cricket players – and a chance for learning and memory lane. Then the Otago Museum…

The museum features history, culture and paleontology…plus a Butterfly Exhibit – humid and alive with hundreds of varieties. Waterfalls, large plants and trees allowed butterflies to flutter and even ‘hitchhiked’ among the visitors. A ‘hitchhiker’ check was needed before we departed.

Off to a picnic at the University…and on to the Chinese Gardens. In 2008. Dunedin opened a Chinese Garden, a gift of its sister city Shangai. The garden had been constructed. taken apart and shipped south where it was rebuilt. The garden is transformative; enter it and leave the city bustle behind. It was a wonderful meander.

A nap – and time for New Year’s Eve. Dinner at a local restaurant…and a celebration at the Octagon – the city square right below Robby Burns’ statue. The police corded off the area – so that all ages could enjoy the music and fireworks. After midnight, we returned to walk on the esplanade. A lone piper played by the sea….a Scottish beginning to ’10 .

Next morning, spotted shags, fur seals and black back seagulls were the destination. We drove over the hills to the end of the peninsula. There was a wonderful albatross exhibit at the nature station…and wild life all about – in brilliant sunshine. Driving back, Sam spotted signs to a local Marae, a Maori meeting house. The detour was a treat. We stopped outside the Marae – a church and meeting house. To avoid disrespect, we took pictures from the road but were delighted when an elderly Maori asked if we would like to walk on the grounds. The church was constructed in 1940. Behind the church were the local burial grounds – where tomb stones told the stories of many chiefs, their families, and early relationships with the British. The cemetery looked out on pastoral fields and the sea.

We returned for a long wander along the coastline…where we found a enormous brown fur seal relaxing on the stony beach. To him, it seemed a fluffy mattress…but he was quite fluffy himself.

Sam and Lauren interspersed long runs about the neighborhood…up hills that allowed Pacific views from many vantage points. The chef and sous chef created and the kitchen staff created to make wonderful meals and all too soon, it was time for packing.

Mind you, Eric’s family had sent us well equipped with culinary delights and full picnic gear – plus samplings of New Zealand’s finest chardonnays and Savignon Blancs. It took a bit to load the car and tuck it back in the garage.

In the morning, we all were up early to make sandwiches and head out – Brian, Sam and Lauren to Christchurch, and Eric and I to Queenstown. We are so fortunate to have shared this wonderful explore and time together.