There are many types of campervans out there in the market. There's really elaborate ones which are huge, comes with a spacious shower, kitchenette and sitting area. There's also really simple ones, very much like the one we rented, which is basically just a simple car with a bed at the back.
Types of Camervans
It really depends on your budget, driving skills and need for luxury. For us, we choose Spaceships which is basically a seven-seater car with all the back seats removed. A bed and a mini fridge are placed in instead.
Despite having a license and driven a car with manual transmission, we were not experienced driving a manual car on steep mountainous slopes. We live in a city where everything is almost flat and we drive an Automatic car. We wanted something which will be easy to drive while navigating foreign land.
Camper with side awning.
Also, we've heard stories on how windy (and now experienced) New Zealand can be. We didn't want to drive a vehicle which is too high (and catches the win) and difficult for us to handle, on top of the mountain pass no less.
Besides, there were only two of us, and we felt Spaceship has sufficient space for us!
This being said, we were unable to freedom camp because we do not have a toilet attached to our camper.
Electricity
If you decide to get the luxurious camper, you will not have a problem charging your electronics. There are multiple electrical outlets for you to plug in and use! However, if like us, you decide on getting a simpler camper, there will be no electrical outlet.
Electrical outlets
You possibly could get those phone charges where you can plug into your cigarette lighter compartment, however, I had a camera to charge almost every night and no car mart had anything of that sort.
We rented an external power cord (240 volt mains plug) for NZ$60 for the duration of our trip. Park in a powered campsite and you're good to go! As we had quite a few electronics, we stopped at the nearest DIY store and bought an extension cord so we could charge four electronics at once.
I didn't take a photo of our electrical cord so I grabbed this from online. *Sorry* As you can see, the power cord is the orange wire.
Cooking
The Spaceship rental comes with a portable stove, gas canister, pots and a kettle. As we had to park in a Camper Park every night, we had the luxury of a proper and clean toilet as well as well equipped kitchens to cook breakfasts and dinners. G insisted on getting an extra gas canisters as he was afraid that we'd run out of gas to cook our food eventually. We never used the second gas canister and barely finished the first one.
Cooking our dinner
If like us, you plan on staying in a Camper Park, forget about the second canister! You have proper kitchen facilities to use and wash up! We only used the gas canister and portable stove at the Camper Park at Lake Wanaka and Franz Josef because the kitchen was quite a distance to our camp lot (and also because we wanted to use the stove).
Also, we saved a lot on cooking our breakfasts and dinners! We grocery shopped about every two days, or if we felt like we were pigs and finished all the food the night before. We bought meat, fish, vegetables, lots of perishables! Don't be afraid that you can't find a supermarket. There are at least a well stocked one in every city!
Travel time
Because we basically lived in our car, our travel time is flexible. We could take a break anytime we were tired. We also didn't go through the hassle of packing a small bag every night, if we were to rent a normal car and stay in motels. The car was our home and it was so fun!
Looking for Campsites
If you get a camper without a toilet, you're not allowed to freedom camp. Obviously, there will be no place for you to shower and do your business. Such acts in public are highly frowned upon by locals and even the police!
Campers of all shapes and sized
You’ll also see signs stating ‘No overnight camping’. Some of these are situated in places that only very disrespectful people would attempt to park up for the night (and sadly have attempted), such as outside someone’s beachfront house on a private road.
Also, at the rental office, you will be able to pick up a guide book on the various campsites around the country where you can park for the night. It will include the location, address, phone numbers and prices. On occasions, we were undecided on which campsite to choose from, we just drove right up to the campsite, checked it out and just choose our favourite!
Duration: 3 hours Prices: Adult $70, Child (5 - 15yrs) $35, Children under 5yrs free Departure Times: 9:30am & 1:30pm
After hiking up to view Fox Glacier (and getting drenched while doing it), we were having a hot cup of coffee at the Franz Josef Village.Next to the cafe where we were seated was a tour agency. On the whim, we signed up for their next tour to Franz Josef because we wanted to touch the ice so bad.
Mike picked us up in an hour and we realized we were all alone on this tour! The tour starts like any other regular tours, why it was named Franz Josef after Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria by the German explorer, Julius von Haast (Haast Pass is named after this guy and it's absolutely gorgeous!) in 1865. The science behind the formation (seriously, I tried to understand it, but it's pretty complicated), when and how it formed and of course, the Maori legend behind it.
The Māori name for the glacier is Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere ('The tears of Hinehukatere'), arising from a local legend: Hinehukatere loved climbing in the mountains and persuaded her lover, Wawe, to climb with her. Wawe was a less experienced climber than Hinehukatere but loved to accompany her until an avalanche swept Wawe from the peaks to his death. Hinehukatere was broken hearted and her many, many tears flowed down the mountain and froze to form the glacier.
Our hike starts through this path and through some vegetation. You can see the glacier in the background! Franz Josef Glacier is, in my opinion, an easier hike up and also closer.
Fault line
Also, some perks of joining a tour is that the guide imparts all his knowledge about Mother Nature to you. Sorry, I'm a science geek. If we did not join a tour, how will we ever know we were standing right above and facing a fault line? We were technically standing on two tectonic plates at once! How cool was that!
Glacier Ice!
The glaciers grow and shrink throughout the year. Even though it was Spring and quite warm for ice to even survive, we were able to cross the barriers with Mike and come up close to all the ice boulders! You're advised to just stay on the trek & behind the barriers which the park rangers had erected. You're allowed to go pass the barriers only with a guide.
heavy as hell
We managed to touch and play with some ice while Mike stood guard and kept a watchful eye over us. Although that piece of ice that I was holding looks small, it was freaking heavy! I even had a hard time lifting it up. As you can see, the hike and heavy ice turned my face into a huffing-puffing-pink-tomato.
We asked about predators in NZ and being a local, Mike told us there were no snakes (deadly ones anyway), no foxes, no scorpions, not much predators in New Zealand. The only way you'd die is from hypothermia or if you drown in a lake or something. What a big difference from neighbouring Australia!
Hard Rock Cafe
At the end of the hike up, Mike told us that there will be a 'Hard Rock Cafe' at the peak of the trail, over looking the glacier. Glancing around, and not seeing anything, I gave a bewildered look to Mike. He started laughing and pulled out his thermos flask and Cookie Time cookies. Sitting on a boulder, sipping my coffee, I started chuckling to myself. Hard Rock indeed.
On the Way~
I didn't really know where to place this, but it was too hilarious not to blog about!
So after staying a night in Franz Josef Village, we were on our way to Arthur's Pass where we passed by this farm with all those cows. G decided to stop for some pictures, so we slowly made our way over to the pen. The cows were scattered all over the field initially, but, as we made our approach, they all stopped grazing and stared at us.
As we walked towards them, they too, trotted towards us, forming a line eventually. Their moos were so deep and loud, I was rather apprehensive. I mean, check out the thin wires for a fence. If 20 cows started charging towards us, I really doubt the fence will hold.
formed a line!
The hilarious part was when G suddenly jumped on the spot and I think it must have scared the cows because all of a suddenly, they turned around and ran to the end of the field! 20 sets of hooves pounding the ground and deep moos really is quite alarming. The ground was shaking and I started the measure the distance and time it will take me to run back to the car.
Funny thing was, after about 30 seconds, the cows came back, formed the line and started at us again! G did the jump-on-the-spot thing repeatedly for about three or four times. All resulted the same. Perhaps we were the only humans (besides their owner/farmer) they saw and were probably just as freaked out as we were when they started running.
We wanted to stay by the lake (or as close to it as possible). We had two options, one was a Top 10 Holiday Park and another was this. We knew Top 10 have one of the best facilities, packed with people, and bound to be slightly more expensive. However, Lake Outlet had one thing Top 10 didn't have.
The View.
What a view to wake up to
Lake Outlet is located right on the shores of the lake. After breakfast, we'll walk along the shores of the lake and the water is so clear that we literally could see fishes swimming in it. This HP is also very secluded as you have to drive a distance from Lake Wanaka Village/Town Center and a deep drive from the main road as well.
Being so far away from the town center, the sky is not polluted with urban lights and street lamps. You could see a million starts right above you at night. That being said, walking to the toilet can be quite a challenge at night. That's when you pull out our handy-dandy head lamp. Yes. Gilbert actually brought that along.
I scoffed at him initially as he was being too dramatic and over the top. Guess he is just a more experienced camper than I am.
Skydive Wanaka
Skydive Wanaka
Address: Skydive Wanaka, Wanaka Airport, Mustang Lane, New Zealand
If you know me, I've sky dived in Vegas back in 2012 at a third of the price as compared to here in NZ. I must say that the money was well spent as the view is amazing. We also did it because it was Gilbert's first time and we wanted to do it together!
We were in some cafe along the highway at a toilet break and chanced upon Skydive Wanaka's brochure. We grabbed it and called up their office once we were at Lake Wanaka! They told us to call back the next morning to check with them what time we can head out. Flights are scheduled depending on the weather.
It was a short 10 mins drive from Lake Outlet HP to the airport and after a short briefing video, we were in jumpsuits and walking up the plane! Watch the video for more!
Kai Whakapai Cafe and Bar
Hearty Big Breakfast
Address: Ardmore St, Wanaka 9192, New Zealand Tel: +64 3 443 7795 After jumping out of a perfectly fine plane, we went back to the town center for brunch. After walking up and down the street several times and looking at all the cafes, we decided to stop here! We ordered just a big breakfast and shared it! The serving was humongous! There's eggs, sausages, bacon, beans, mushrooms, hash and toast! All for only NZ$21!
Boa Boa Food Company
Fish & Chips!!
After brunch, we were walking along the street towards the lake and we chanced upon this small little fish and chips shop. We grabbed a bag (or rather a newspaper wrap) of fresh lemon sole and chips! The fish was fresh with a hint of vinegar in the fish and chips! As usual, the portion was way too big. We brought the entire pack to the lakeside and sat there eating the fish and tossing left overs to seagulls, birds and ducks!
It is one of the most conveniently located Holiday Park in Queenstown. Even the famous Top 10 in Queenstown is still a distance away from the town center and tourist attractions. Queenstown Lakeview is just a mere 5 mins walk from the Skyline Gondola or 5 mins the other direction to the town center.
This is a large complex with about a hundred Camper sites and is also one of the most expensive Holiday Park we stayed at. I'm not complaining though. We're paying for the convince and facilities. The kitchen is a large building with lots of dining tables, stoves and sinks. We did laundry that night too and it was $4 each for the washer and dryer. You could even borrow a hairdryer from the reception before it closes.
If you've been to Sentosa Island just off Singapore, you'd know we have out own luge as well. Singapore's luge is NOTHING compared to Queenstown's Skyline Luge! First, we took the Gondola from the base of the mountain up to the top. And we still had to take a chair lift further up to start riding the luge.
There were two routes, one with a higher difficulty than the other. In order to go on the track with the higher difficulty, you first had to take the easier route to get used to it.
I must say both routes are definitely challenging. You need to break while taking corners or going down the slope or you might end up at the first aid station. On a side note: You really do WANT to break, going too fast and you'd end up missing the beautiful view of the lake and mountains that stand before you.
My first time jumping off a perfectly fine ledge? I must be crazy right?
I took a long while before I finally pushed myself off the ledge. It was so intimidating I swear! The thing about this Ledge Bungy is that you're attached to a harness around your body, so I felt more secure and I wanted to do my first jump with them.
It started off with us filling up the indemnity form, taking our weight and tagging us. I wasn't nervous yet, I was still joking around with Gilbert and all. Laughing about my weight and how 'round' I've become.
We walk over to the box which is protruding out from the mountain cliff and you have a beautiful bird's eye view of the entire town. I wasn't nervous still. There were three guys assisting us with the harness, told us the safety rules and asked us how we want to jump.
Thanks for keeping me safe!
Gilbert actually volunteered me to go first. Because I was all gung-Ho and crap.
So, while in the harness, the guys actually asked me to walk to the edge to take a photo. And yes, that's when I started to have cold sweat, heart thumping wildly against my chest and freaked out a little.
I think I ran to the edge three times and all three times I ran back to the safety of the box. I couldn't bring myself to throw my body off this bloody ledge! I know, I'm not THAT crazy.
But I'm poor and a mini adrenaline junkie. I didn't want to waste my $195 which I spent to feel like I was 'flying' or dying, which ever way you see it.
at the edge of the world.
On the fourth try, I ran to the edge, stopped at the edge because I was scared. In a milisecond, a thought flashes through my mind, "I don't want to waste the $195 that I've already spent." So I pushed myself off the edge. Gilbert said I looked like I tripped or someone pushed me off.
It wasn't the best feeling ever. It felt like I was falling forever (from the video it's just 2 seconds). It's so different as compared to sky-diving because you know someone skilled is attached with you. This.. You feel like you'll land upon the trees and you've left your heart out on the mountain top.
I screamed a blood curling scream, even the Bungy guys told Gilbert it was an awesome scream. Gilbert realized how terrified I must have been, he knows me well, and have never heard me scream like that before. Not even on scary roller coasters.
The rope eventually ran taut and I bounced like a yoyo several times before collecting my wits scattered around me (some probably splattered into the Rocky Mountain side and some flew into the lake), I looked up and three concerned faces peered over the ledge. I signaled my 'OK' and they lowered a rope to hoist me back to safety, where my feet are able to touch solid ground.
The Helicopter Line: The Remarkables
Address: Lucas Place, Queenstown Airport, Queenstown, New Zealand Postal: PO Box 1530, Queenstown, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 442 3034
Call Free: 0800 500 575 (within New Zealand only)
Email: queenstown@helicopter.co.nz
Website: http://www.helicopter.co.nz/queenstown/
It was my first time on the helicopter and it was Gilbert's first time touching and seeing snow!
After the bungy, we were just walking around town, looking for cheap tours or activities kill time. We did not plan to take this helicopter ride at all. So, we walked past this banner and a sign advertising helicopter tours at a cheap and reasonable price, went in, paid and next thing we know, we're being picked up and we're sitting on the helicopter.
It was a little intimidating at first because we're seated next to the pilot. It was how a helicopter should feel like, according to Gilbert. The ground peels away really fast and it seems like it comes up really fast when we're landing, but according to the pilot, it's just an illusion and it's perfectly normal.
We stood on The Remarkables and we felt like we're standing on top of the world! There was a puddle of 'snow' or rather, melted snow, whatever remnants from Winter. You should see how happy Gilbert was, prancing around and throwing the hard ice at me. I felt a pang of guilt then, because I knew that's not how snow was supposed to feel like. It's fluffy and soft, like cotton candy.
Then, it started to HAIL. That was my first time experiencing hail and it hurts like a hell lot!
We had an enjoyable time, the pilot is very knowledgeable and told us stories about Queenstown. From such a high altitude, you'd able to have a bird's eye view of the entire town AND the mountains.
Flame Bar & Grill
Steak!!
Address: 61 Beach Street, Queenstown East 9300, New Zealand Phone:+64 3-409 2342
So, while purchasing tons of cookies at Cookie Time, we asked the cashier where we could have really nice steak here. She recommended us this restaurant. It's set by the lake/beach overlooking the turquoise waters.
We ordered a steak, lamb chops, a side of mussels and two mocktails. The steak & lamb were cooked to perfection, tender and juicy! If only we knew of this place before hand and reserved a table by the window.
I decided not to go in order and post up this entry first because it's way overdue. Also because this entry has been typed up and just sitting in my draft folders for the longest time. It was one of the first post I finished once I came back from NZ and it's such an inspiration to have met those people.
We were heading towards Christchurch from the Glaciers and stopped by Arthur's Pass for a night to break the journey.
It was about 4.30pm when we arrive at Arthur's Pass Village. It was like a setting from a typical horror movie. The Village consisted of about 8-10 buildings, including 2 cafés/eateries and 1 information center. All were closed at that point. We drove up and down several times and we knew the next motor home park will be kilometers away, so we decided to stay at a hostel.
Arthur's Pass Village
The first hostel/backpackers inn we went to seemed closed. A signage that said the receptionist doesn't operate from that counter and to use a phone card provided and give the owners a call.
We felt a bit weird about it so we walked to the next hostel. We were just poking around at the front door looking at the signs that again said to pick up the phone receiver located just next to the main door to get access into the hostel. At that point, we were quite hesitant and considered driving through and out of Arthur's Pass to find any sort of life form.
Stumbled upon this!
Then the door opened and out came Bill. He was dressed in oil-stained overalls and had the warmest smile of a wise old man. We asked if we could just pay and use the facilities as we already had our own bed. We just needed a place to shower and cook our dinner. He agreed as there was only 1 person staying for the night.
To be honest, we seriously thought we'd get murdered that night and no one would even know. (Like in the movie, Hostel) But, boy were we wrong. Bill is the friendliest, nicest and fatherly New Zealander we've ever met. He gave us a mini tour of the hostel, the surrounding areas, and even told us folk lore and legends of the surrounding landscape. He told us how he operated his hostel (which I will not write here because people may read this and take advantage of him) and asked repeatedly if we had food for dinner.
As he only comes up a certain day of a week, I told him we were then, very lucky to have bumped into him as it was not that certain day of the week he'd usually come up. He replied, "No, I am also very lucky to have met you too." And he told me I have a beautiful and sweet smile which made me blush like a little girl.
This post will be filled with many quotes of that night.
Eventually, he got back to work, cleaning and oiling the machines and water heater tank (that's the reason for all the oil stains) in his backyard and we got back to preparing dinner. We got a large bundle of meat for only $10 by the way and had waaaaay to much food for the 2 of us.
Living Room/Common Area
Then in the midst of food preparation, in walked in an American Girl and a Spanish Guy. Let's name Her G and Him A. We exchanges greetings and they asked where they could have some coffee and dinner. Told them which direction to head to and they were out the door. A little while later, this Belgium guy (let's name him D) returned from his hike with a stone in the shape of a heart and presented it to Bill. It was quite a sight to see! A 70+ years young man giggling and joking around with D.
We cooked dinner and realized we had too much to eat so we gave some to Bill and D, as all they had were baked beans and some fruits respectively. We couldn't let them eat just that when we had so much meat and sausages. ($10 bundle remember?)
Kitchen
Somewhere during dinner, while D was telling us about his adventures in Paraguay, G and A returned and join us. Together we were exchanging stories about our travels and also taught each other vulgarities in our own native language. All 3 of them actually quit their jobs and will be traveling for at least a few years.
D said that although New Zealand is pretty but it is not as beautiful as some places he's been in South America. A retorted with, "If you keep comparing with other beautiful destinations, how are you ever going to fully immerse and enjoy yourself fully at the destination you're currently in?"
LOVE THIS FIREPLACE! Just was what I needed that night!
I felt so inspired at that moment. After he said it, it kept going through my mind. It's like in life, if you keep comparing with other people what you don't have, or even what you have and they don't, how are you ever going to really enjoy what you truly have currently?
As the stories flowed, G said when she went to Laos, she met several Laosian people. She said, "They have absolutely nothing, yet they are the happiest people I've ever met." She even recounted how one day she was just walking the streets of Laos and she didn't have anywhere to go or a place to sleep. A Laosian family actually took her in, fed her and gave her a place to sleep. We need to go to Laos soon.
G also recounted how she got lost in the jungles of Thailand (somewhere off Railey Beach) and she emerged to a deserted beach and how the stars were the best she's ever seen. If it was me, I would have started bawling my eyes out once I realized I was lost.
The next morning, we were talking about a waterfall Bill told us about. It was an easy hike of about 20-30mins to the Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall. Legend has it that if you drink from the falls, you'll stay young forever. Gilbert actually filled his bottle and forced me to drink it. I told him, "I'll be young forever if I drink this and die now!" I drank anyways, and I'm still alive. So I guess all is fine.
Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall
This was the point where we split up and reassured each other that we would stay in touch via Facebook. Gilbert and I were heading towards Christchurch, A and G were taking the long 4hrs hike, and D was going back to the hostel to meet Bill.
Once we were back and collected the car, we saw Bill still working on his machines. We told him that we were leaving and to visit us in Sunny SG when he has the time. He replied that he doesn't have a passport. Gilbert and I were so astonished. Bill said, "I don't need to see the world. With this hostel, people will come and bring the world to me."
He just warmed my heart so much.
Continuing our journey through Arthur's Pass, Gilbert and I were discussing about the stay. Gilbert said, "We are never truly happy. We just want to earn money to please people we don't like. We get married and hold an expensive and grand wedding banquet for people we hardly know. We travel on the basis that we want to reward ourselves for the hardwork we've done for other people. And we even have to buy gifts for people who we don't like (for him! I only buy gifts for people I like OK!) when we go on holiday. When are we going to do something for ourselves, truly?"
This Holiday Park is located on the Otago Peninsula, about 30-45 mins drive from city center. The only reason why we took to long to drive there was because of the narrow and winding roads. The roads are just between the water and the mountains, if you're sleepy, you'll have a great chance of crashing into the waters!
Portobello Village has a clean kitchen, shower facilities and a TV lounge (not that we ever watched TV while we were there though). As for shower facilities, there was a handicap cubicle which I used to shower at night because it has both a toilet bowl and shower. The shower in that cubicle was must better as compared to the others because you can really adjust the optimal temperature. Gilbert said he showered in the normal cubicle and he had to turn on both the hot and cold water tap and the water was mostly cold.
Yes, I felt bad for using the handicap cubicle. :( Oh! I must add that they have hairdryer too! Many nights I slept with my hair wet because the weather was too cold and my hair couldn't dry in time. That night I didn't intend to wash my hair and only wash it in the morning. Oh, how happy I was when I saw the hair dryer!
It is recommended you pre-book your tour online to secure a spot, but because we went in October, it was still low tourist season. We managed to secure a spot with another couple. The tour starts off with watching a video and you have to put your belongings into a secured locker so as to not contaminate the factory. You put on a hairnet and you're given a plastic bag with a bar of chocolate in it! Yumz.
The tour starts with climbing stairs. I know. You need to work for the chocolate!
Chocolate buttons!
They brought us around the factory and showed us how they made Easter Eggs and chocolate roses. Every stair we climbed, we were rewarded with either a packet of candy or a bar of chocolate. I swear I was beaming from ear to ear. The best part of the tour was that we get to enter a purple silo and get to watch liquid chocolate form one of the tallest chocolate waterfall! I wanted to stick my hand out and grab some!
Dunedin Railway station is claimed to be the 2nd most photographed landmark in whole of Australasia. The first being the Sydney Opera House.
Dunedin was linked to Christchurch by rail in 1878, with a link south to Invercargill completed the following year, and the first railway workshops were opened at Hillside in South Dunedin in 1875. Early plans were for a grand main station on Cumberland Street, but these did not get further than the laying of a foundation,[1] and a simple temporary weatherboard station was built next to the site in 1884. It took close to 20 years for government funding to be allocated, and planning only really commenced as the 19th century was drawing to a close. The logistics of constructing what was at the time New Zealand's busiest railway station took three years before construction began in 1903.[2] Dunedin required a station for a wide range of activities: it was a commercial and industrial center, close to gold and coalfields, with a hinterland that was dependent on livestock and forestry for its economy.
Larnach Castle, is an imposing mansion on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula within the limits of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, close to the small settlement of Pukehiki. It is one of a few houses of this scale in New Zealand. The house and its grounds are regularly open to the public.
Halfway into Otago Peninsula, heading towards where the Albatrosses were, we stopped by the Castle to have a look. It looked like a typical old English Mansion you can find in the UK. When we first entered the building, we were escorted to the basement where the "Gun Room" is. Instead of guns, there were portraits of William Larnach and his family, as well as write ups on the family's tragedy and legal battle over his properties.
Afterwards, we headed up towards all the bedrooms and nursery for the babies. The furniture reflect the period of the castle though minimally decorated. There was one room where the wedding gown of William Larnach third wife Constance de Bathe Brandon was hung up. There were portraits and other possessions of hers being displayed. To get into the room, you had to draw this heavy velvet curtain, and the entire room was just creepy.
The view from the roof was fantastic though. You could see the whole Otago Peninsula and Dunedin!
Royal Albatross Colony
Royal Albatross Colony
Address: 1260 Harington Point Rd, Harington Point 9077, New Zealand
Tel: +64 3-478 0499
Website: http://albatross.org.nz/
Fees: $45/adult for guided tour
The Royal Albatross Centre operates viewing tours for it Taiaroa Head facility using a modern, purpose built indoor viewing area. Tours take place throughout the day and offer 60 minute guided wildlife tour telling the story of the Northern Royal Albatross, followed by a short movie by Natural History NZ then a visit to potential viewing areas on Taiaroa Head.
If you see the picture carefully, you can see Gilbert standing next to a mock up of the Albatross. Yes, that is the actual size! It's wing span is about 3m in length, and because it was so long, it has to be tri-folded. After a short movie and a short walk up to Taiaroa Head, we stood inside an indoor viewing gallery and tried to spot an Albatross. Pretty soon, we could differentiate them from the gulls and other birds. There was an Albatross sitting just a few meters from the viewing gallery and pretty soon, it was joined by two others!
The guide said we were very lucky as it is very rare to see the Albatross land and take off as they only land once a year to mate and raise their chicks. We saw the courting process and even heard them calling out to their mates. They mate for life by the way, so after raising their chick, they go on a year long "Holiday" and meet up with their mates once again during mating season.
Otago Peninsula
Map of Otago Peninsula
The Otago Peninsula is a long, hilly indented finger of land that forms the easternmost part of Dunedin, New Zealand. Volcanic in origin, it forms one wall of the eroded valley that now forms Otago Harbour. The peninsula lies south-east of Otago Harbour and runs parallel to the mainland for 20 km, with a maximum width of 9 km. It is joined to the mainland at the south-west end by a narrow isthmus about 1.5 km wide.
Amazing Sunset partly covered by clouds
Taken on a pier at Portabello Village
Caught an amazing sunset on the pier by Portobello Village before we headed back to camp. One of the most amazing sunset I've seen in my life!
