Traveling to and around Dunedin on the east coast

Today's photos are: view from Grandview B and B to Otago harbour, Roses and the terrace houses, Star Newspaper bldg, Railway Bldg, afternoon music at the Railway bldg, St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Hi everyone. Nice to see some of you are following my latest adventure! Thanks. As I traveled from Queenstown to Dunedin, the topography changed dramatically. Following the winding Shotover river, the land rises from scrub bush and beech forest along with gum (eucalyptus) trees to towering peaks, like fuzzy heads or miltary cuts to above the tree line. AS the bus hurtles down into each green valley then strains to pull us to the next pass, I am amazed how the valleys and hills alke are dotted with shorn and unshorn sheep, like so many puffy pastellitos (for my cuban friends!) and herford cattle grazing on the plains, hills and yes, the peaks of the mountains as well as red deer herds. The layers of striated gneiss are stocked in piles up and down the green land. It must have been difficult for the first settlers, the Maori, and later the farmers to eek out a living and farm the rocky outcroppings. They cleared the land and sheep, cattle, a few alpaca and red deer are very adaptable. Hawks, magpies and wrens soar overhead. As we pass small towns, I see that NZlanders take pride in the appearances of their humble homes as there are roses of every color and hue in front, welcoming the residents. The agriculture in this part of NZ is green and good for fruit trees, oranges and apples. It is windy across this land as bald hills and peaks are not enough to stop it from blowing.

The Dunedin area, as it is a harbour ending in a peninsula, is of course alive as a wetland. Waterfowl are prevelant. The Grandview B &Bis a lovely old home reminiscent of the home where I grew up with wooden floors, antique furniture and large doorways. The hosts, Simon and his wife brought home their new baby girl a couple of weeks ago, though I was hoping she would be born on my birthday, tomorrow!

I walked down the large hill and into the Octagon, the city center. There are some old buildings, like the Star, which was built 150 yrs. ago and spans a corner on both sides. The Railway Bluilding is granite and sandstone and I watched an impromptu performance by the beautiful stained glass windows. Of course, no visit to any city would be complete without a St. Patrick's Cathedral and this one did not disappoint. Imposing structure.

It is chilly here, as the easterlies are blowing. I am going on a trip tomorrow to see the Royal Albatross, Yellow-eyed Penguins and maybe even a little blue penguin. In the afternoon I may take the gorge train up the mountain. Adventures await!

Love,
Kerry