Dunedin

06/07/13

Last Friday morning I set off on the Nakedbus yet again, not knowing what the future had in store. My plans were to go to Dunedin in search of penguins and the beachy atmosphere. I decided to do something I had yet to do, couch surf! With complete strangers! There is a wonderful student network here in New Zealand, and through couchsurfing.com I found a lovely young lad that was willing to host a crazy female from the states. This may sound risky to people back home, but here it is something so commonly done. My host was Philip Gibney, a 21 year old from Canada studying at the University of Otago. Mom was not very happy with me when I told her my plans but after doing some Facebook creeping she was a little more at ease with the idea. And I cannot tell you how thankful I am for this experience.

Back to the adventure--

The weather was splendid cruising down the east coast to Dunedin.

We stopped in Oamara for lunch and of course instead of eating, I was drawn to the ocean's smell and walked across the railroad tracks in order to get as close as possible.

And it was so worth it...

Only a 30 minute stop here but it was a wonderful place to drink my coffee and think about how wonderful God's creations are and how thankful I am to experience them.

I can never sleep on the bus because I am always afraid I may miss some incredible scenery... Like so-->

About halfway through the bus ride Phil texts me saying "hey, some of my friends are going to the beach to sleep in a cave tonight. Would you want to go?" First thought through Kayley's head "OH HECK YES!!!" So I asked the details and told him we would talk when I got there.

I was dropped off at the University of Otago

And what a gorgeous day it was!

I had to ask directions a couple of times to find Phil's flat but managed to find it fairly fast. I called him and within seconds of talking, an American female voice comes from the upstairs porch, "hey, are you the couch surfer?!" So I head upstairs to meet his flatmate from Arizona, Mackenzie, and her best friend from home, Kenzie. Such sweet young ladies just looking for adventure in New Zealand, familiar story ay? After I chatted with them a bit about our life stories, Phil walked through the door and I was able to thank him for accepting me into his home and learn a bit about him too. He pointed me in the right direction toward what to see in close proximity and I found myself admiring the -->

Which happened to be right in Phil's backyard.

Such a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the fresh air!

The view from above!

After enjoying the serenity, I forced myself to break away and walk around town a bit. I walked through the university and down some very icy streets where I almost ate gravel multiple times... And then realized there wasn't a dog growling behind me but the growling was my stomach telling me it was time to feed it. I went back to the house to meet Jordan, the flat's Kiwi host. Each flat on this street was occupied by international students and had one "Kiwi host" living with them. Jordan informed me of this and the fact that most of the international students were American. I have come to the conclusion that I've traveled to the other side of the world to meet more Americans. We then walked to New World (their grocery store chain) and I prepared for my night in the cave. I was so very happy to be introduced to Phil's other roommate who I would soon realize saved my life by lending me her sleeping bag.

I jumped in the car with Phil and a couple of his mates that lived next door and we were off to the caves. Never would I ever be able to explain what I experienced that night. We got on the beach and started driving along the water's edge, when all of the sudden we reached these massive cliffs with dark holes in their sides. We pull up to the largest opening I've ever seen in the side of a mountain with its depths illuminated by a bonfire. Future friends were huddled around, keeping warm in the freezing cold.

I was introduced to people from all over the United States as well as Kiwi's and a couple other countries. Everyone was very inviting and I listened as people shared their stories and they as I shared mine.

I always thought that because St. Augustine lacks large condominiums and hotels on its beaches that so many other beach cities have, (and therefore constricts the view of the stars) that it had one of the best star gazing beaches. PSYCHE! Nothing compares to the night sky I encountered on Dunedin's beach and I'm not sure any ever will. Trillions upon trillions of stars were visible to the naked eye as the Milky Way ran vibrantly through the middle of them. One shooting star after another shot across the sky, begging to be wished upon. If it weren't for the cold I would have slept beneath them. Wishing I could have taken a photo, I knew that the imagine in my mind was the only one that would ever give the sky it's justice.

Since we arrived after dark, I was anxious to see what the sun would uncover the next morning. I slept in the back of the cave, as far against the wall as I possibly could get, to stay warm. I fortunately only woke up a couple of times and was greeted by an early sunrise through the cave's mouth. Most people rolled out of their bags and tents for the event and I don't think one was disappointed.

For the first time I was able to see where we were sleeping from the outside in.

And what a jaw dropping realization it was.

We headed back to town shortly after sunrise in order to make the morning's farmers market. I played tourist, first stopping in at the Taieri Gorge Railway

Absolutely stunning architecture!

The Dunedin Cenotaph, a war memorial built in the Queen's Gardens. Built in 1920.

The First Church, or the First Presbyterian Church of Otago, that opened in November 1873; 25 years after the first settlers arrived in Dunedin.

I also walked past the Chinese Garden that was much smaller than I expected but this was the entrance, I didn't bother to go in since there was so much to see

After exploring a bit, I went to find what I had come to Dunedin to see. PENGUINS!

I signed up for a tour through the city that would take us to the far ends of Dunedin, places on private lands, restricted from everyday visitors. At 1pm I hopped aboard the Elm Wildlife Tour van and we set off towards the Otago Peninsula.

First, we had to stop in at the Larnach Castle to pick up a couple guests who were going on the tour as well. Which was ever so convenient because the castle was one of the top places I wanted to see in Dunedin but was too pricey to get to and see.

Gorgeous architecture yet again!

John, from Texas (surprise surprise), a friend I made on the bus :)

We were only able to stay for 10 minutes but I was more than happy and I could tell mom I went (she was very keen on me seeing this place) :D

Back on the road, we drove through the windy mountains as we overlooked the peninsula and the city all in the same scape.

We arrived at the Royal Albatross Centre where we were guided down a boardwalk and told the history of the Royal Albatross. The Otago Peninsula is the world's only mainland breeding colony of the Royal Albatross. The birds spend most of their life at sea, only returning to land to breed and raise their young. They mate for life and both return to the same nesting area each time to breed (every two years). Most live into their 40s, making them one of the longest lived birds in the world. They feed mostly on squid although they will eat fish and other sea creatures.

After about 10 minutes of waiting for an appearance, I was looking to the north while everyone else was looking south when all of the sudden this giant creature comes around the mountains edge. I informed the group that there was a pterodactyl flying at us and everyone turned just in time as the dinosaur-like bird flew straight over us. In utter shock at its size, it took me a couple seconds to register that I should probably get a picture....

By the time I got my camera up, I managed to only get a butt shot which is perfectly ok because I got to see him in person and not through my camera. One word- MASSIVE.

Taiaroa Head, where the Albatross nest.

We stayed there for a little while before we continued on towards waddley friends.

The driver told us all about the birds that live in these parts and that all but a couple were introduced to New Zealand. Here are some Black Swans.

The drive was beautiful.

After winding through the mountain side, we arrived at Pipikaretu Bay-->

This place was phenomenal.

We walked down the sheep poop covered path to reach Penguin Beach.

The little black specks are seals hanging out.

As we got to the beach entrance, the guide told us to look towards the water... And there they were!!!

The two dots on the waters edge are Yellow Eyed Penguin :) The guide told us to stay very quiet and as still as possible. They began to waddle towards us.

Closer....

At this point I was shaking in my boots and couldn't believe they were coming right for us. I almost fainted as they hopped through the gap under the gate....

And there they were... In arms length at my feet!! Before this moment, it was a life dream to see penguins in the wild. A thousand written emotions couldn't explain my joy.

They lingered at my feet for about 60 seconds just staring. So unbelievably blessed to experience such a thing!! I thought about creating a distraction and snagging one but he wouldn't fit in my puffer!

They continued on their marry way towards their nests up the hill and I bid farewell, wishing the connection would never end.

Penguin tracks!!

We then walked down to the beach and visited some flubbery friends

To make it even more perfect, the sun began to set as we got a show from these giant creatures. The two smaller female seals were having a cat fight over the male as he sat and enjoyed their quarrel.

I got griped at a couple times for trying to get closer to them but got a lovely picture out of it.

We continued our walk down the beach to a lookout where we were able to see at least 20 more penguins that came out of the water and hopped up to their nests on the other side of the mountaintop.

So funny to see them in the same place as sheep... They seemed not disturbed by each others presence.

We walked back the way we came and said goodbye to our flubbery friends.

The view from above.

We piled back in the van and drove to the next destination. After carefully dodging piles of sheep poop and walking down a few steep hills, we reached another lookout....

....on a very steep cliff.

Looking down, one could see many seal pups floundering in the small ponds of water, a safe zone away from predators.

It was such a wonderful and rewarding day and I am so happy I was able to see the things I did. We made our way back to town and I was greeted with a happening party at the neighbors house where I met more great people. One of which I would instantly become friends with and plan for my next big adventure with her as a wingwoman!

The next morning a few of us girls woke up early and walked the steepest residential street in the world -- Baldwin Street.

&& we made it to the top!

It was a spendid weekend in Dunedin and I met so many wonderful people I know will be in my life forever.

My next adventure will soon be shared but for now, thanks for reading!

Cheers <3