Dunedin and the East Coast

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Date visited: 4/5th February:

After our fleeting visit through Wanaka (and myself finally satisfied with my mission completed without injuries or mental scarring!) we headed eastbound towards Dunedin - one of the largest south east hubs in the deserted South Island.

As the drive was lengthy we thought a coastal stop on the way would be a good place to rest our driving-weary heads. Our initial choice would have been great (a small-holding backpackers by the sea - goats included) if it wasn't for the host being absent on arrival- I mean what good is that?. With the place all locked up and the cooler now cloudier weather reminding us of our southerly location in New Zealand, we decided to hop in the car quick and drive on seeking another bed. In my haste to find an alternative substitute quickly I overlooked the name of our next hostel only ensuring the price and facilities matched our failed first option. This would not normally matter but when the car pulls up at a gate where a mysterious driveway leads up through trees and a few dubious looking buildings appear suddenly I get flashbacks from the film 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest' - you suddenly realise why the place was appropriately named 'The Asylum Lodge'. Yep! I took us to the loony bin. Whoever owned this bizarre hostel must have tried to distract the visitor's mind from its dark post-war days by purchasing a few tame horses (!!!??) which we found grazing in its grounds, a collection of over 50 old cars in a garage out the back (why?!) and a handful of hens! I was bemused by it all to say the least but relieved to find that we were NOT to sleep in the former mad house itself but a newer annex next door. As it happenned the place was nicely kitted out complete with polished wooden floors, log burner and a decent 60/70's cd selection.

The next day we checked out Dunedin, which we visited as a day trip from the Otago peninsula (next door). The city used Edinburgh as its twin for the design and naming of its streets and buildings. These are nicer than I have seen in other cities here - all perched on an un-natural hill (again to immitate Edinburgh). The centre is quite compact with a decent amount of social places to drink and eat, although it lacks the greenery I like so much which I have seen elsewhere. Worth a look-in but not masses more.

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Photos

Summer gathering with musicians
Bank holiday in Dunedin's central square

Church and town hall?
Example of Dunedin's architecture.

The Asylum
and the horses (you thought I was joking?)

Comments

[Mandy]

well done Sal!
It makes fantastic reading but is depressing me slightly, makes me want to chuck it all and bugger off again!