Queenstown to Dunedin (Otago)
Yesterday we left Queenstown and headed down to Dunedin. The weather turned during our last night in Queenstown. It started raining around 5pm and continued constantly until 8am. That part of the country is used to that sort of weather though (Milford Sound had 155mm that night) and the higher rivers were the only evidence on the drive to the east coast. However the wind was well and truely blowing. Gusts up to 160kmph were recorded in Invercargill. It continued to blow us all the way to Dunedin.
On arrival at our next hostel, Bus Stop Backpackers it was really blowing and right onto the shore below the house. The host said she hadn't seen it so windy for years, and this is the middle of summer.
The coast road round from Dunedin was awash with waves and across the bay from the hostel the wind was sucking spray from the sea and swirling it around as it blew across the sea towards us.
In saying that it's the sort of weather the albatross love and we could see them out to sea. We declined to pay the $28 just to get a look at them nesting. Unfortunately New Zealand seems to be getting more and more greedy and even natural phenomenon are used to get the full compliment of pennies from the paying tourist.
We wandered down after dinner to see the blue penguins coming home. The cold wind was blowing directly onto the beach and we stood and waited for about an hour to see them come ashore. They eventually struggled in and despite a few idiots with cameras flashing (yes French again) they made their way up the beach to their burrows.
Anyway due to lack of beds in the hostel I chose this night of the biggest summer storm in New Zealand for years to test out my new tent. I have to say it passed with flying colours. Infact it was pleasure to get a little peace for once.
We're in Dunedin today, there is plenty reference to Scotland here. We're giving 'The Scottish Shop' a miss though.
One more night in the rather poorly equipped Bus Stop Hostel then down the Catlins Coast after a trip on the 'Something' Gorge Railway. I'll explain tomorrow with a proper name.
Below is a link which hopefully brings up a video of the Shotover Jet boat. Great fun.
http://media.putfile.com/MVI_014398
On arrival at our next hostel, Bus Stop Backpackers it was really blowing and right onto the shore below the house. The host said she hadn't seen it so windy for years, and this is the middle of summer.
The coast road round from Dunedin was awash with waves and across the bay from the hostel the wind was sucking spray from the sea and swirling it around as it blew across the sea towards us.
In saying that it's the sort of weather the albatross love and we could see them out to sea. We declined to pay the $28 just to get a look at them nesting. Unfortunately New Zealand seems to be getting more and more greedy and even natural phenomenon are used to get the full compliment of pennies from the paying tourist.
We wandered down after dinner to see the blue penguins coming home. The cold wind was blowing directly onto the beach and we stood and waited for about an hour to see them come ashore. They eventually struggled in and despite a few idiots with cameras flashing (yes French again) they made their way up the beach to their burrows.
Anyway due to lack of beds in the hostel I chose this night of the biggest summer storm in New Zealand for years to test out my new tent. I have to say it passed with flying colours. Infact it was pleasure to get a little peace for once.
We're in Dunedin today, there is plenty reference to Scotland here. We're giving 'The Scottish Shop' a miss though.
One more night in the rather poorly equipped Bus Stop Hostel then down the Catlins Coast after a trip on the 'Something' Gorge Railway. I'll explain tomorrow with a proper name.
Below is a link which hopefully brings up a video of the Shotover Jet boat. Great fun.
http://media.putfile.com/MVI_014398
posted by PeterZ at 4:52 PM
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