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Published: January 8th 2008
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Coming to you *live* from my new room with wireless internet! So, I promised you the story of why I did not have time to put my previous blog on last night. That was because two of my roommates at the hostel and I decided last-minute to go to Sandfly Bay at 7:30 pm. We figured we would have dinner afterwards, because it would otherwise be too late to see the sea lions and penguins that can be seen on that beach. So we drove in their rental car over the Otago Peninsula to Sandfly Bay, and we had some beautiful views already during the ride. Then we got there and had to walk down from the mountain, through the sand, and yes, there were many sand flies (little sand-colored things that jump), but fortunately they did not bite... 😊 When we were at the beach we could already see a big sea lion at the other side of the beach, so we walked there and the sea lion came very close! So close actually that we made sure we got out of its way, because the way he was coming at us was a bit scary! But I got some
beautiful pictures of him. We also wanted to see the rare yellow-eyed penguin, but they are much more shy than the sea lions so we had to go to a little hide-out a few meters above the beach. We waited there for about half an hour, while the sun was going down which was an amazing sight, and just as we were ready to leave because it was getting late, a penguin came out! He was still quite far away, as you can see on the picture, but we could see him wobbling and it was so cute! Then he jumped up the mountain, really funny, we were all wondering what he was doing. Anyway, by that time we had to get back because the sun had gone down, it was 10:30 pm already and we still had not had dinner. So we walked back on the beach, but then we saw a penguin on the other side of the beach, very far away. We did not keep walking because we did not want to scare it, so we and a couple of other people stood there for another 20 minutes waiting for the penguin to cross the beach. By
that time it was getting really cold and a little dark already, so finally we decided to go back after all. But the way back was up the hill, obviously, and because the climb up was in deep sand it was so tiring! You would put your foot up the hill and it would just slide down the sand again. Very frustrating… But after a long climb we finally got back to the car, and at least we weren’t cold anymore! Then we drove back and we were back at the hostel around 11:30 pm. I was exhausted by then, so after taking a shower to wash all the sand off I went to bed, but the other girls actually still had dinner at that time, they started cooking at 11:30 and ate at midnight… So our planning was not that great. But still it was a great experience, to see a sea lion in the wild up close and more sea lions and penguins from farther away, and a beautiful sunset on the beach… just look at the pictures and you’ll get an idea.
After a good night sleep after a lot of exercise I woke up at
8, had breakfast and went into town to get bedding for my new room. When I was in town I remembered that we had to check out of the hostel at 10 am, by that time it was already 9:30 and it is quite a walk back up to the hostel… So I hurried back with all my bags with big pillows and blankets etc., and got back in the hostel at 10 am sharp. But then I still had to pack my suitcase and backpack in a way that I could carry it all… I managed to do that (although I had more bags than when I arrived). I checked out of the hostel a little too late, but luckily my roommates were late as well, so I wasn’t the only one. After that I said goodbye to them and went to the cab I ordered the day before to move all my stuff. Then I went shopping with my housemates for some cabinets and the like, and now I am all unpacked and settled in! I took some pictures of the room and of four of my housemates: Brett, Sam, Sayaka and Jayra. The Australian girl is coming
later, so I haven’t met her yet. The four of us just had dinner together, which was fun, I already feel kind of at home here 😊 Now I’m going to bed, my first night at Great King Street! Goodnight!
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Jimmy
non-member comment
vet!
Zeeleeuwen, penguins en schapen! Cool zeg. Relax bed ook. Hoe heette de penguin?