Well not really, but like the song says, “ 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.”
Steve is the Managing Director of Classic Jaguars which is a limo company. He picked us up from Manapouri and drove us to Dunedin via Invercargill and Nugget Point Lighthouse. He told us a story about doing the same tour he did for us, Otago Peninsula Tour, for a lady who wrote for the New York Times. The name of the article? Albatrosses, Penguins and a jJaguar. Hence the name of the post.
Friday on our drive over ended up being fairly nice…Saturday, well not so much. It was rainy, cold, and blustery, but we muddled through.
First stop on our day’s outing was the steepest street in the world. They have the Guiness world record. It is a good thing the weather was a bit crummy as no one was out visiting, so we could drive right up without bothering anyone. I didn’t get a picture of the sidewalks. They are switchbacks so it is easier walking.
Next drive through was Otago University built by the Scots. The sandstone at the bottom of the buildings are from New Zealand, however the grey stones are from Australia.
We tried to view the bay from up above, but the view was occluded with cloud cover.
The Lanarch Castle is not a castle in terms of European standards (Thinking Neu Schwanstein), but a really nice 5 bedroom manor house. Steve did our tour himself as he had been trained by the daughter of the family who bought the house and restored it to its glory days. We climbed up the very top steps to see the view from the roof. The cloud cover had lifted a bit.
From Lanarch Castle, we travelled to the Royal Albatross Conservatory. Albatross mate for life, but only lay eggs every other year. The albatross then stay with their young for a year. The fledglings had left the nest, but it appeared a few Albatross were there waiting for the new crew to arrive. The males arrive first and start creating their home, usually in close proximity to where their original nest was. Then the females arrive a week or so later and add to or may even move the nest.
Gammy rode a mobility scooter up to the underground bunker where viewing the albatross takes place. Our guide was so kind and patient, even driving the scooter for Gammy. Steve actually helped the Conservatory get the money to purchase the mobility scooters.
This area is one of only a few breeding grounds and has remained a breeding ground through obstacles like the military setting up operations when their was a threat from Russia. Why is that an important bit of information? Well besides being in the bunker like underground tunnels to view the albatross, there is an Anderson disappearing gun. Still in working order but never fired in anger.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, there is a lighthouse viewable while watching the albatross. The guide told us one of the first times the gun was fired, no one informed the lighthouse keeper and windows shattered from the noise. After that, the lighthouse keeper was always warned and was then able to open the doors and windows to keep them from shattering.
Coming down from the viewing hill, was a windy rainy mess. Our next stop was not for another hour plus, but Steve worked his magic and got us in early. Tallyho, off we go!
The OPERA- which is a Penguin rehabilitation area, specifically for the endangered yellow eyed penguin. Adrian was a dear and showed us around. We ventured into the actual rehabilitation area where one juvenile yellow eyed penguin was recouperating. They had found him and he was underweight, weighing in at only 4kg when he should be between 6-7kg.
After that we were driven up to the area where the penguins come to breed. We saw another yellow eyed penguin and one roosting little blue penguin. He is hard to see in his little house. This area has been built up with native New Zealand plants for the penguins to roost. They have even built little houses for the penguins to use.
There was also a fur seal just hanging out on the beach.
Still cold and rainy we went back to meet up with Steve and the Gammy. She wisely opted not to go on the slick, steep trail, but visit with Steve in his warm, dry, van.
Steve drove around and showed us more sights before dropping us back off at our hotel.
Once at the hotel, dry and warm, we sauntered back out in the mizzly conditions in search of a beer and meatloaf. Just kidding, we really wanted to find a decent pizza. Jim did not disappoint, because down No Name Alley was a small brewery: Steamship Basin.
Paul and Karen started this place after living in Sydney and Hong Kong. Paul makes the beer and Karen makes the pizza. She uses a recipe she adapted from a lady in Australia. I know because I asked her about her dough. Karen makes 4 different pizzas, 2 red, 2 white. We had one of each. They are rectangular pizzas, cut into 8 slices. And they are really good. We thoroughly enjoyed her work. Karen makes the dough ahead of time and then lets it sit a couple of days before portioning it out, which she then lets sit a couple more days. She came over, sat, and had a beer with us. We really loved getting to know all about their journey.
As you can see, I didn’t mention the beer! I will leave that for your 4th and final beer report
Sunday is a free day. We shall sleep in and then check the weather.
#HowFortunateWeAre #MakeOurOwnSunshine #AdventureOfALifetime