Birds birds everywhere, or not because they are so rare.

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After lake Tekapo I went to Portobello, a tiny little place of the Otago peninsula near Dunedin. Nice place to stay in, great views over the harbor. But the road was funny again. Maximum speed 50 to 80 kilometers an hour. I felt really brave going near 60 at times, but most was like 30 because really scary bend after the next and on one side a cliff on the other side the sea. So not much room for error.

First real shock, no keys, according to the owners of the B&B not necessary. Well that was a first. I am used to locking the door and using an extra deadbolt like thing just for safety when inside. Here no locks what so ever. Also haven’t had a room yet with a safe.

In the afternoon went on a boat trip to look at the albatross that have started a colony at the head of the harbor. Started with one somewhat lost female and now there are over 50 couples each summer. Those beast are Big.  Also saw some sealions and seals and a tiny penguin and of course a bunch of seagulls and cormorant like birds. So plenty of birds all over.

After a nice dinner to bed and the next day in the morning to a completely weird Scottish castle that was build by some very wealthy guy who was also very unlucky in love. Married three times, first wife died after having 5 kids in 12 years. Second wife was sister of first wife died with in three years and last wife was having an affair with his second oldest son, so he shot himself. Oepsie.

But the place was nice to look at, the gardens where pretty and the house sparrows eating from my hands where cute.  

Then hurry hurry to be back in time for the BIG adventure, the wild life tour. Three guesses. Yes albatross, sealions and seals but for a chance also big penguins. Or big. About 5 kilo. First on a boat tour, bigger boat but same tour as the day before but hey I dont mind. I am getting used to bird watching.



After the boat off to the albatross sanctuary. Had time for a quick cup of tea. And bought a new raincoat as the one I had wasn’t really working anymore. Got to watch a video about the albatross, same info as on both boattrips and that the guide told us on the way in the car. So a little overkill, probably to keep everybody happy that the tour was an hour for your money and not just 30 minutes. Then finally up the hill to where the albatross have their nest. Only you don’t see the nest because the grass is to long. And you are not allowed near them so bummer. But had some good shots of flying teenager albatross.

Then back into the minivan and off to where the seals and yellow eyed penguin are. That was an 45 minutes drive, then a long walk down a pretty high and steep cliff to the beach. ( down side to that, what goes down must come up, and I am not good at going up things under my own steam).

It was worth it though. Sixs sealions playing and in total four of the about 200 left yellow eyed penguins. Would be unrealistic to expect more.

Then the long very long trek back up the hill/cliff to the minivan. But I made it. The others did an extra walk down yet another cliff to see seals. But I stayed high and dry in the van.

Then a very scary drive back, seems this driver was able and willing to go 80 on those scarry roads. It doesnt make sence that there are not a lot more New Zealand racing car drivers. 

Was a long day, tour lasted until nine in the evening. And that without dinner. Good thing I always have cookies.

Next day I had to leave again. So back over the scary road to Dunedin. Did some shopping there. Because I always forget stuff. Or bring the wrong stuff. Luckily they had everything I needed in Dunedin. Then off to the farm stay at the most southern part of New Zealand.