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03/4/2005 - Mt. Cook to Dunedin - Day 3 Just before moving out YHA, the morning view is very different from yesterday evening. Very low cloud covered most of the mountains and the scene become soft and elegant, as most of the rough rocks disappeared. (Pic -03a) The journey is by driving back yesterday road toward Twizel along Lake Pukaki again. Different view from yesterday, due to cloud and shades of sun. Plenty of stop along the way. (Pic -03b) & (Pic - 03c) Just before Twizel, I caught a Salmon fish : - ) Actually, we stopped at a Salmon farm and decided to buy one for dinner : -)) It is quite cheap and fresh! Beside that, also bought some vegetable and nectarine at honesty store (we little hobbit are honest). (Pic - 03d). Stopover at Aviemore Power Station Dam(Pic - 03e) & Takiroa Moari Rock Art Site(Pic - 03f) & (Pic -03g) Along the way, we pass by Timaru which saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. I was amazed by the sudden scenic changes, driving along the rugged coastal road and seeing the wave pounding the beaches. Finally, have lunch at Oamaru, a small town with an impressive heritage. From local info (take away shop), we went to visit the some of the historic buildings which were made from local sandstone. At the Harbour-Tyne area, there are plenty of best-preserved collection of historic commercial buildings. I wonder how they were build?(Pic - 03h)We walked to the harbour area in hope to see some blue penguin colony. However, failed to see any as it is noon and they are out hunting(Pic - 03i). Just walk around and see a fishing competition in progress. Just slightly out of Omaru town, we stop at Totara Estate, the birth place of NZ meat industry. There is a celebration of the NZ farming and historical pass. The farm is packed with people, and some dressed in very English and Scottish ways. There are ladies doing cross stitch, cheese processing, sewing; carpenter doing to tool and furniture, food stalls, forks singing etc(Pic - 03j) (Pic - 03k).I guess we are very lucky to come to the town at the right time. Thrill with the whole environments. Then I saw big patches of black color plants, further investigate and found out it is sunflower estate. (Pic - 03l) Our journey is very much delay, no one complained as all the stop are beautiful scenic sites to behold. We finally reach Dunedin around 5:30pm . After check-in, go straight out again. We are determine to see Penguin today and drive to Taiaroa Head thru series of winding road just few meter beside the sea, We detoured up a hill (very scare drive with narrow road at the edge of the hill) to see Larnach Castle . The view is beautiful with sea shore and hilly slope fill with farms and houses.
Later, we waited at a beach for the forever mysteries penguin. After waiting for an hour plus, still no sign of penguin : - ( After sunset, we struggle with the cold condition and strong wind as every minute pass by. How ironic, the seal is enjoying themselves nearby(Pic - 03m). Just when we are given up hope and walking back the hill, a gentlemen call us back saying he saw the first group coming up to shore(a very thank you to him). Actually, I can't for sure to know what type of penguin it is (blue or yellow eye) due to the dark condition. However, everyone are very glad just to have a glance of the distinctive walk motion of penguin. They are very funny to look at . . . guess everyone just forgot about the miserable wait immediately. No photo was taken as no one wish to disturb them too much (maybe our present already cause some stir among them). Drive back slowly to our hostel. After dinner, have a discussion on the route and planning for tomorrow .Changed of plan, decided to drive the Southern Scenic Route, which is more demanding and have some unseal road in some parts. However, we decided to give it a try because of the beautiful scenic and wildlife along the way to Invercargill.
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