Dunedin and Oamaru
Trip Start
Jul 05, 2007
1
26
48
Trip End
Dec 24, 2007
Dunedin,
New Zealand
Monday, September 24, 2007
The hostel that I stayed at was nice and relaxed. Although very unfriendly. Maybe it's because I look strange, but as I walked through the common room, everybody stopped what they were doing and stared at me. I had to check myself to ensure that my flies were done up.
The hostel cat did not take to me. I was calmly catching up on "Neighbours" in front of the telly when I felt a sharp pain in my foot. I looked down to find the cat sinking its teeth into me.
This turned out to be the first of 3 vicious attacks by wild animals. On the second day in Dunedin I went on a wildlife spotting tour to see albatrosses, sealions, seals and penguins. As we were passing the sealions, one of the young males turned and charged at me.
"He's trying to mate with you." explained the guide.
No thanks - I'll leave that to the Welsh.
The third attach was the most savage. It was conducted by the "eco-warrior" tour guide when she found out that my farm is not organic. She didn't bite me, but it was close. She nearly threatened to leave me off the bus.
Today I got the bus up the coast to Oamaru. I marched half an hour across town to the hostel that I had booked (and paid for) to be confronted by a "closed for winter sign". I was not pleased.
This evening I went to the penguin colony at the old quarry here to watch the penguins come in on mass from the sea. Watching them waddle up the shore reminded me how how like a penguin my ex-girlfriend Jocelyn used to look - in build anyway. (Hello to you if you're reading).
Next I'm off to Christchurch, which is supposed to be like England. We'll see..
Albatross
