Ok, so I can now go home from NZ extremely happy. Two days ago was a busy day. Mel, Jen, Steph and I went for a walking tour of Dunedin, but we kinda got sidetracked at the local farmers market. There was so much good stuff there. Mel and I picked up some veggies and such, but more importantly maybe the best cheese I have ever had. I had never heard of this kind before, but it was amazing. Then Steph and I headed back to her house for our big afternoon out. At 3, Stephanie, Joe and I met at the info center to be picked up for our 'wildlife tour'. After quite a bus ride out to the Otago Penninsula, we stopped at the only land-based albatrosse breeding colony. Now I must say I was skeptical, but holy smokes those were big birds.
One flew right over top of us and wow, it's wings were so big. Anyways, after spending (in my opinion) too long watching those birds, we headed out the penguin colony. We had to walk through a sheep paddock first which was pretty funny. Steph was trying to get her 'perfect NZ picture' but sheep aren't very friendly. So there was a lot of Steph trying to sneak up on a sheep. Anyways, our first stop was a fur seal colony. There were approximately 150 fur seals all over the rocks. They were very cute. Most of them were pups waiting for their mom's to bring back food. They were playing all over the rocks, so it was fun. A couple took pretty big tumbles. Anyways, we then went one bay over to see the star attraction.
We were walking down this pth and Sean (our guide) made us stop, there were yellow eyed penguins coming up the path. I was so excited. No question that these were penguins. Anyways, after watching them for a bit, we went down to the beach. There was 15 sea lions down on the beach (wow do they smell). We had to be careful cause sea lions will chase you. Steph was pretty nervous about this, Joe on the other hand, was quite happy trying to get close to them. Then, out of the water emerged what I came to see. Three penguins started to waddle up the beach. I was so stoked. So we went into the viewing area (you can't get very close to them). It was really cool to watch them waddle up towards the hills. I really can't put it into words. Those of you who know me pretty well know how much this means to me. I mean really it was the #1 attraction to see in NZ. Anyways, I can't really describe it. So after watching the penguins and having to take a detour around a sleeping sea lion, we returned to the bus to head back to Dunedin. That night we went out, although Steph, Joe and I didn't last long. Then yesterday I walked up to see the 'world's steepest street'. Which was actually shockingly steep. I had good run down it. Then Mel and I got on the bus for our
last time together. We got into Christchurch around 8. We are staying with Mel's aunt and uncle here. It was so nice to be in a real bed last night. Today has been pretty low key. We went to the Christchurch Art Gallery which I quite enjoyed, Mel not so much. Then Mel went to visit her Nana, so I headed to a local art market near the gallery. Who knows what tomorrow will bring (hopefully some warmer weather). Anyways, talk to you all soon. Pictures when I find a faster computer.
Ok, so I can now go home from NZ extremely happy. Two days ago was a busy day. Mel, Jen, Steph and I went for a walking tour of Dunedin, but we kinda got sidetracked at the local farmers market. There was so much good stuff there. Mel and I picked up some veggies and such, but more importantly maybe the best cheese I have ever had. I had never heard of this kind before, but it was amazing. Then Steph and I headed back to her house for our big afternoon out. At 3, Stephanie, Joe and I met at the info center to be picked up for our 'wildlife tour'. After quite a bus ride out to the Otago Penninsula, we stopped at the only land-based albatrosse breeding colony. Now I must say I was skeptical, but holy smokes those were big birds. 
One flew right over top of us and wow, it's wings were so big. Anyways, after spending (in my opinion) too long watching those birds, we headed out the penguin colony. We had to walk through a sheep paddock first which was pretty funny. Steph was trying to get her 'perfect NZ picture' but sheep aren't very friendly. So there was a lot of Steph trying to sneak up on a sheep. Anyways, our first stop was a fur seal colony. There were approximately 150 fur seals all over the rocks. They were very cute. Most of them were pups waiting for their mom's to bring back food. They were playing all over the rocks, so it was fun. A couple took pretty big tumbles. Anyways, we then went one bay over to see the star attraction. 
We were walking down this pth and Sean (our guide) made us stop, there were yellow eyed penguins coming up the path. I was so excited. No question that these were penguins. Anyways, after watching them for a bit, we went down to the beach. There was 15 sea lions down on the beach (wow do they smell). We had to be careful cause sea lions will chase you. Steph was pretty nervous about this, Joe on the other hand, was quite happy trying to get close to them. Then, out of the water emerged what I came to see. Three penguins started to waddle up the beach. I was so stoked. So we went into the viewing area (you can't get very close to them). It was really cool to watch them waddle up towards the hills. I really can't put it into words. Those of you who know me pretty well know how much this means to me. I mean really it was the #1 attraction to see in NZ. Anyways, I can't really describe it. So after watching the penguins and having to take a detour around a sleeping sea lion, we returned to the bus to head back to Dunedin. That night we went out, although Steph, Joe and I didn't last long. Then yesterday I walked up to see the 'world's steepest street'. Which was actually shockingly steep. I had good run down it. Then Mel and I got on the bus for our 
last time together. We got into Christchurch around 8. We are staying with Mel's aunt and uncle here. It was so nice to be in a real bed last night. Today has been pretty low key. We went to the Christchurch Art Gallery which I quite enjoyed, Mel not so much. Then Mel went to visit her Nana, so I headed to a local art market near the gallery. Who knows what tomorrow will bring (hopefully some warmer weather). Anyways, talk to you all soon. Pictures when I find a faster computer.
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