Dunedin

Baldwin St

New years eve found us anchored at Dunedin on New Zealand's south island. Despite forecasts of rain and cold the day was gorgeous. Blue skies and a crisp 18 degrees.

We had booked a hire car so after catching the cruise shuttle from Port Chalmers to the centre of Dunedin, called The Octagon, we set off on foot for the hire car location. About 2 kilometers later we picked up the car. Most of New Zealand is very hilly, including the cities, but our walk was blessedly flat.

The photo here shows Baldwin Street. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the steepest street in the world with a gradient of 1 in 1.266.  The photo hardly does it justice.

We drove the Otago Peninsular. A short but incredibly beautiful drive. We took the low road to the Royal Albatross Colony. The narrow winding road follows the edge of Otago Harbour, and I do mean the edge! Trevor was concentrating so hard on keeping us on dry land I don't think he saw much of the view.

At the Albatross Colony we had a great cup of coffee and took some gorgeous photos of the view. Heading back the way we had come we stopped for fish and chips at a little caravan set up on the road's edge. What a picturesque place to have lunch. Bit of a drama through - we sat at a heavy wooden table under a huge umbrella when a gust of wind caught the umbrella, lifted it clear of the table and it landed on my head!!! A bit of a shock really.

Trevor decided not to get me to drive back after that, so he manned the wheel again as we took the 'high road' back to Dunedin. If anything that drive was even more scary. The road winds along the crest of the hills without any guard rails. With massive drops down to the valleys below. Utterly spectacular.

Back in Dunedin both Trevor and I had massive sneezing, allergy attacks. Sitting in the park in the centre of town as stages and stalls were being set up for a New Years Eve party. We sent emails, checked Facebook and generally caught up on all things Internet before returning to the ship.

Historic Railway Station

The show tonight was two brilliant acrobats Duo Velikovi they were amazing! New Years Eve formal dinner, cocktails in the Rendezvous Lounge then tucked up in bed by 10pm.

Happy new year - tomorrow Akaroa

Love Nadine

Port Chalmers

Dunedin