So I'm sure you all remember that Monarch Wildlife Cruise I won a while back. Well this past weekend, Hira and I finally decided to use it. The voucher was for two adults and two children, unfortunately. So when I called to book the tour, the guy on the phone had a pretty good chuckle when I said "well, the voucher is for two adults and two kids, but I don't know any kids here, so it will just be two adults." The tour started at Weller's Rock, which of course was about a 45-minute drive from Dunedin up the Otago Peninsula. So we decided to make a day of it and explore some other parts of the Peninsula. Hira always knows all the beautiful bays and scenic locations. So all she has to do is tell me where we are going and my job is to actually get us there. We work well together! So we rented this cute little red Ford Focus and off we went. Except while we were driving out, we noticed that the GPS wasn't turning on. So we turned back around and asked for another. Of course they don't have anymore, so she gave us a map...yes, we navigated this trip old school. We only had to turn around like four times because we missed a street. That's not bad for an entire day of traveling I'd say. You'd be surprised to see how not obvious they make their street signs. Hira can attest to that one for sure.
On our way out, we decided we would drive on the southern part of the Penisula. It wasn't quite as touristy, and was more just a lot of beaches. Which we obviously weren't going to complain about. So our first stop was at Sandfly Bay. It was kind of a hike down to the actual beach but amazingly worth it! There was just so much sand on this beach I couldn't help but play in it! On our way down, there was a very steep section with some deep sand. So I would try to run down it, each time my foot sinking into the sand up to my shins. Hira giggled at my child like play but I just couldn't help it! We finally got down towards the water and it was gorgeous! I don't think I will ever get used to the sound of the waves crashing on the sand. It's still such a magical thing to me! As soon as we were near the water, we saw numerous seals just laying around, as they always seem to do. The information sign posted at the entry to the bay area stated that there was a possibility for seeing penguins and seals! The little penguins must have been scared because we never ended up seeing them. I only have about 60 days left, hopefully I will see at least one penguin before I leave! But on the beach saw a total of 4 seals, we didn't walk the whole beach because we wanted to continue on our journey, but we hung around until the seals started to move around a bit. The tide was starting to rise and must have upset the seals a little bit. They woke up and started growling at each other at one point. As cool as it sounds, it was actually kind of terrifying. The noises they make are definitely scary! At that point we had decided to hike back up to the car and travel on to our next destination. And by the way, the hike back up was not nearly as fun as the trek down. Climbing sand dunes will definitely make you sweat!
On our way out, we decided we would drive on the southern part of the Penisula. It wasn't quite as touristy, and was more just a lot of beaches. Which we obviously weren't going to complain about. So our first stop was at Sandfly Bay. It was kind of a hike down to the actual beach but amazingly worth it! There was just so much sand on this beach I couldn't help but play in it! On our way down, there was a very steep section with some deep sand. So I would try to run down it, each time my foot sinking into the sand up to my shins. Hira giggled at my child like play but I just couldn't help it! We finally got down towards the water and it was gorgeous! I don't think I will ever get used to the sound of the waves crashing on the sand. It's still such a magical thing to me! As soon as we were near the water, we saw numerous seals just laying around, as they always seem to do. The information sign posted at the entry to the bay area stated that there was a possibility for seeing penguins and seals! The little penguins must have been scared because we never ended up seeing them. I only have about 60 days left, hopefully I will see at least one penguin before I leave! But on the beach saw a total of 4 seals, we didn't walk the whole beach because we wanted to continue on our journey, but we hung around until the seals started to move around a bit. The tide was starting to rise and must have upset the seals a little bit. They woke up and started growling at each other at one point. As cool as it sounds, it was actually kind of terrifying. The noises they make are definitely scary! At that point we had decided to hike back up to the car and travel on to our next destination. And by the way, the hike back up was not nearly as fun as the trek down. Climbing sand dunes will definitely make you sweat!
We made a few other stops along our way up to Weller's Rock. We stopped right by the water to enjoy our lunch. We found this little park and tiny little beach when we stopped for the restrooms. We even ventured up to the albatross center at Taieri Head and walked around for a little while. We didn't do a tour because they are a little pricey. Plus we were told we will get to see them on the Monarch wildlife cruise. So we weren't concerned about it.
Finally it reached about 2pm and we headed back down to Weller's Rock where we would pick up the cruise. We parked and noticed a bunch of people waiting on the dock for the boat to arrive. There was no one there to check us in really, so we went and waited with everyone else down at the dock. If these like 12 or so people were going to be the only ones on the cruise ship with us, I would be totally ok with that. Eventually, we saw a ship coming right towards us. When they docked, we thought all the people currently on it would unload. That wasn't the case. I had forgotten there was another pickup location in Dunedin city that was for the longer Monarch tour. So we hoped on with everyone else and stood comfortably on the railing on the (quiz time) starboard side. They even had free wifi on the boat. Like I know we are in the 21st century and all, but isn't that just a little much?? I'm not saying I didn't appreciate it, I'm just saying it seemed unnecessary to have wifi on the boat. But oh well. Moving on. Luckily, it was not too chilly and for most of the trip the boat blocked a lot of the wind. Definite bonus there. The ship headed towards Taieri Head to check out the albatross. There were again a bunch of juveniles nestled in the hillside just like they had been during my trip over spring break. In fact, I bet those were the same birds. It was a fairly breezy day so a lot of the birds sat on the hill and would flap their wings in order to get used to the feeling of flying. They still did not know how to fly. A few of the adult albatross also gave us a show and would swoop by the boat over the water. They were looking for just the right wind conditions that would allow them to land and feed their young. The tour guide mentioned how, since they are mainly sea birds, they are fairly awkward when on land. Their big webbed feet make walking difficult for them. But just to see those full grown adults fly through the air, surrounded by sea gulls, it was then you understood just how big they are. Once the tour guide had done his spiel and turned the boat around numerous times for ideal viewing angles for everyone aboard, we went around the other side of Taieri Head and saw some beautiful rock formations and even some seals! The seals were a different kind than the ones we saw at Sandfly Bay. They were so much smaller! There was even one we saw that was trying to climb up the rocks! It was adorable! Unfortunately, like time always seems to do here in New Zealand, it flew right by and we were back at the dock at Weller's Rock. Not a bad tour! Made even better by the fact that it was completely free!
On our way back we decided to take the more northern route home, that way we got to see a different side of the Peninsula. Since my dad and I had been there, we made a point to stop at Long Beach. By the time we made it there though, it was about sunset, so we walked along the sand and enjoyed the beach while the sun sank in the sky. I even saw horse shoe prints in the sand. I have never ridden a horse on a beach, but man it just sounds so wonderful! And on that beach, oh my goodness it would be just fantastic! I was quite jealous of whoever those people were. Even still, the beauty of the beach was overwhelming. The wet sand reflected the colors of the sky. It was a perfect end to a great day.
Expect the day didn't end there. We thought we would be spontaneous and attempt to go star gazing! We didn't really plan anywhere specific, which may have been our downfall. We just kind started driving. At home for me, I can just drive until I find a road to pull off to. I guess I was expecting it to be that easy. But it wasn't really. We got well outside the city but all of the roads off the main one were to houses...although before we finally decided to turn around, we did get a good glimpse of some stars just above us. While it wasn't quite what we were expecting, it was definitely pretty! I think Hira and I decided that star gazing will be one of the last activities we do together here in Dunedin. It's simple yet perfect. But I don't want to think about leaving this place just yet.
Thanks for reading :) I miss you all dearly and I will write again real soon!