Thursday, August 02, 2007
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
The Church of the Good Shepherd on the edge of Lake Tekapo is one of New Zealand's most photographed sites. When I arrive the tiny church is crowded with tourists. The views all around are breathtaking - turquoise waters, pine forests and snow-capped peaks - make it a picture postcard setting.
Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
Driving through Mackenzie country covered in snow is magical. From Lake Pukaki I can see New Zealand's highest peak, Mount Aoraki, which means 'cloud piercer' in Maori.
Lake Benmore, New Zealand
Soon after Oamaru I'm passing the crystalline turquoise Waitaki and Benmore lakes, frosted pine forests, bare golden trees forming a landscape that takes my breath away. Soon I'm finding it painful that we can't stop to take photos - the limitations of being on a bus. If I came back to New Zealand I would definitely choose to drive.
Mackenzie Country, New Zealand
Rolling hills and blue skies abound as we head towards Mackenzie country. Passing briefly in the one-horse town of Oamaru we pick up a girl I met in Queenstown. She tells me the bus forgot to pick her up yesterday so she had spent an extra night in Oamaru. I lie and say there are worse places to be left.
Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand
On the way to Lake Tekapo the bus stops at the Moeraki Boulders, a series of egg-like rock formations scattered on the beach. These were formed millions of years ago around lime crystals within the surrounding mud stone.
Baldwin Street, Dunedin, New Zealand
Baldwin Street, 2 kilometres from Dunedin city centre, is the steepest street in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records with a gradient of 1 in 1.266 (not quite sure what this means). If it wasn't for the steps at the side of the road it would be hard work walking up.
Yellow-eyed Penguins, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
At the end of the beach a number of yellow-eyed penguins are emerging from the surf. They nervously look for predators and will not come out on to the beach if they see a sea lion nearby.
Hooker Sea Lions, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
On the other side of the hill we walk down to the beach where a number of Hooker sea lions are lying lazily on the beach growling. They pay no attention to us as we walk past. I learn that sea lions are a type of seal with ears and these are the rarest of the world's five species. Sea lions were almost hunted to death by the Maori for food and have only been drawn back to the shores in the last 30 years.
Papanui Beach, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
A dramatic winding road leads to Papanui beach skirting an inlet. We climb up and over a hill covered with sheep to reach the craggy rocks below where we can observe a colony of fur seals.
Albatross, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
The Otago peninsula is renowned for its wealth of diverse wildlife. I'm slightly concerned that I still haven't recovered from my penguin and seal overdose in Antarctica and the Valdes Peninsula. Still I'm drawn to signing up for a tour here.
As we drive 45 minutes into the heart of the peninsula I'm glad I've come as the views of the landscapes are worth the trip alone. The first stop is the Royal Albatross Centre. I'm not a bird fanatic but these incredible creatures with a 3-metre wing span are an impressive sight as they circle the cliffs and swoop down to their nests.
Cadbury's World, Dunedin, New Zealand
After watching a DVD our guide, dressed in purple dungarees and matching Crocs leads us into the factory. As soon as I enter I feel a high as the intoxicating smell of chocolate pervades my senses. I pass several smiling workers and wonder if it's the chocolate effect.
Naively I was expecting a Willy Wonka-style factory with bubbling cauldrons of chocolate everywhere but it's all shiny machines and conveyor belts. Still I'm excited when newly-wrapped Crunchies pour on to the conveyor belt for inspection. They're in mid Easter egg production. A line of employees are handwrapping these in foil as this task is too complicated for machines.
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