Blogs from Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 7

Surf trip with Kiwi Surf Grommet While I was living with Chris and Ange one of their neighbours (knowing that I surfed) asked me if I’d take along Mikiah, their 11 year old son next time I go. No worries, I said and arranged for a trip when the next swell was due. So, me and the grom (grom - AKA grommet is a term used for kids who surf - don't ask me the origin) we head off to the beach, and I’m just shooting the breeze with Mikiah who’s this cool little wanna be kiwi surf dude (aka grommet). And we talk about his school and his buddies and just stuff, and somehow the conversation turns to ice-cream. Anyway, he’s like “yeah, I love ice-cream - in fact my favourite is chocolate chip from ... read more

So, Dundedin is the Scottish city of New Zealand - lots of Scottish influence, architecture, names, etc. We mosied over there for a couple of days after our little wildlife excursion on the Peninsula. It's kind of a college town - one of New Zealand's best universities is there (Univ of Dundedin). It was rainy - which apparently isn't uncommon for them. We went to the World's steepest Street (Baldwin Street) and climbed up it - you walk straight up it (and it's significantly steeper than Lombard Street) with no switchbacks. You literally feel like you're going to slide backwards down it - thankfully there are stairs you can use on the way down! We also went to the Cadsbury factory in Dundedin and stuffed our faces full of chocolate! Not quite as ridiculous as Charlie ... read more

Had a great brunch in a bar called 'The Art and Craft of Food and Drink'. Drove along Otago Peninsular up to Taiarora Head to see the Albatrosses. Caught a fleeting glimpse over the reserve walls (saved ourselves 33 bucks each on the entrance fee!) Then drove to Sandfly bay, which is home to some of NZs rare Yellow Eyed Penguins. After being blown to bits in a mad sand storm, we continued along the beach to the observation hut in the sand dunes, where late afternoon, you can sometimes spot the penguins making their way out of the sea and back to the beach. As we were walking along, we came across a lone penguin, just stod on the beach. There was only us two on the beach with him and we got prety close ... read more

In the morning we went to view Purakaunui Falls in the day light - which were nice, however, Spen reckoned that he had seen better in North Wales! Drove to Dunedin (which is gaelic for Edinburgh) in driving rain. The town was established by a Scot, hence lots of Scottish references around the place (i.e. kilt cladded bag pipe players/references to Burns etc). Stayed at Hogwartz Backpackers. Explored town, the shops etc. There's plenty to do by day and night, and it's all pretty compact. The area where our hostel was was reminiscent of San Fran as the streets were really steep and lined with those big whitewashed town houses. Also, it's nearby peninsular is a stunning drive out of town, with loads of sandy beaches and wildlife. ... read more

I always receive the complaints that I am not sharing any photographs of my new home (for another 3 years). So here I am with a few pictures which might give you some idea about how beautiful this place is. Let me start by a brief introduction of the people I went with. All these are my friends from a student group called REALISE. Taking time to go to the church blessed me with the wonderful company of these people; especially Christina, David, Kathryn and Luke. This time after the church was the plan for a BBQ followed by a trip to Sandfly beach. Now don’t go by its name, it is called so because of the sand that flies when it's windy and not because of the pesky sandfly found all over the Milford area. ... read more