We then walked through the historic center and looked at a few cute shops before getting on the road. Oamaru is the town where the two remaining from scotts Antarctic adventure were picked up in a small dinghy. Can't imagine those waters in a dingy. Started driving with our eyes on the catlins. Stopped about 30 minutes up the road to check out the moeraki boulders. Giant round boulders that are perfectly circular that have been on the beach in this town now decaying. It was cool to see, then kept going. Stopped for some cheese sampling-- bought a smoked brie and detoured back to a scenic highway route. There was a marine layer of clouds that we drove through as we wound ourselves through small towns. Pulled into a campground so matt could use the toilet. I am so glad we did not camp and rented a car instead!! The people in this campground which was basically a soccer field with campervans lined up looked miserable. We are a pb&j sandwich looked at the map and decided we may stay in the catlins tonight to try and catch a yellow eyed penguin siting--and then we were off along our drive.
Next stop Dunedin to see penguins, a castle, and other sea life. Drove out to the otago peninsula and on the way signs for the castle popped up. Perfect. Drove forever yo the hill to the castle, paid 15$ each to look around at the gardens of this Scottish castle-- and the only castle in New Zealand. After about a half hour walking te grounds we were off. 16km to see the penguins. But we took a wrong turn and ended up on the other side of the peninsula which resulted in a 30 minute detour. And then an hour along the windy roads to the end of the road at the albatross center. So many seagulls! Lucky we both escaped without being shat on. Walked down to the penguin lookout (but penguins live out as sea during the day and retreat to their nests at night) but we saw some harbor seals. Then back in the car and Andreas turn to drive. .... needless to say we survived. We arrived back off the peninsula and set our eyes on the southern scenic drive. It's a forever long drive that weaves along the coastline. Decided we would stay in kaka point known for its hide to see yellow eyed penguins. But I was hangry as it was 5pm and the half a sandwich wasn't tiding me over. Matt found a spot not too far off the road and we stopped for some fish and chips takeaway. 9$ for fish and chips and a cheeseburger. (Originally I wanted mcdonalds or Burger King drivethrough as we had three hours ahead of us). Super good and we were on the road. Stopped for gas 10km from kaka point. Called a few local hotels-- all sold out. then found a luxury spa motel that had vacancy and a. Balcony with a gorgeous view of the ocean for 135usa$ and the night before our anniversary-- ok to splurge. "Key is in the door, have a look around and I'll be by in the morning for payment". That's kinda the attitude here. Super nice and trusting people.
Dropped our things off and drove to the penguin lookout. Parked the car and walked the 5 minutes to the hide-- apparently these penguins are easily spooked -- which means they won't return to feed their chicks and the chicks starve to death. Few people inside this lookout hut. They saw a couple penguins awhile ago who went out to sea and were waiting for their return. About twenty minutes after we got there the people who were there before us called it a night and took off. Not even 1minute after they left I spotted a penguin retuning to the nest. Oh the penguin waddle is so cute 😍. We watched him disappear into the grassy nest. Waited a few more minutes and then retreated to our villa to enjoy some NZ vino and the smoked Brie cheese. Tomorrow--drive the catlins and make it to te anau, the start of the drive to Milford sound.
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