08.03.2020 Wild life in Queenstown or Wildlife in Dunedin?

It seems to be my luck that most of the places we stay have steep inclines to get into and then tight parking areas and I am always pulling into them when I'm tired from the days drive - but my driving is getting better Coxy!!

Queenstown is absolutely manic with someone trying to sell you an adrenaline busting experience on every corner. We both decided that we had arrived there at least 40 years too late. I took the skyline gondola to the first station. Then walked upto the next station watching the bungee jumpers and luge riders on the way. In the forest there were zipliners whizzing through the canopy and the mountain bikers had to be nuts to race down the narrow rocky trails to the bottom Views from the top were stunning with The Remarkables range as a backdrop and the huge "slumbering giant" shaped Lake Wakatipu below and of, course the paragliders ( not sure that that's the right term) but the sky is full of them here.

I was trekking back down to the base and took the Tiki Trail which was billed as a 1 hour walk. I know it took me longer than than and for the first time I understand why many of my friends question my walking alone. It was one of the toughest stretches of trail that I have done - all down hill very steep, narrow tracks with rocks and loose sand but I did it - that was exciting enough for me. One person did stop and ask if I was OK - so I must have looked as tired as I felt. I was glad to get to the bottom.

After two days in Queenstown we were ready to move on. Our journey took us through landscapes that looked like The Highlands of Scotland and with names like Roxborough, Clyde, Alexander, Teviot and Dunedin we could have been in Scotland - beautiful scenery but the weather is definitely cooler and we have had some mist and rain. Especially here in Dunedin and along the Otago peninsula where we went to see the Albatross and other rare birds along with more fur seals. The sea lions on the spit had apparently disappeared for lunch :):). In the mist and low cloud and with it's granite architecture Dunedin bears a resemblance to both Edinburgh and Aberdeen. On a misty day it looked just like a "dour" Scottish town. To see the Albatross we took a small boat trip from the peninsula and managed to spot several of these incredible birds with wing spans of upto 3 metres. Maureen was enjoying the trip even in the rocky small boat. Lots of artists and writers in Dunedin with a lovely gallery in the Railway Station which is a work of art in inself with arched ceilings, stained glass and mosaic floors and there is a "street art" walk - just like Hull!

Heading for Oamaru tomorrow for one night only then on to Lake Tekapo for our final lakeside scenery and a visit to the Dark Sky Observatory before heading to Christchurch for our final few days - what will you do without my blog to read over your breakfast???