Our Christmas away from Christmas

South we headed to Christchurch to pickup John and Erika, Amanda's Dad and his girlfriend, for our holiday adventure.  And south we were headed once more, once we had them.  From Christchurch to Dunedin, there are the Canterbury plains, not much to see, and far to drive.  Sort of the Kansas of New Zealand, though, you have to put it in perspective, this is an island.

Tuatapere

Dunedin was shopping, and more shopping.  For two people who live in Samoa, NZ is a plethera of STUFF!!  Not to mention it is quite a bit cooler this far south.  They needed addendums to their wardrobe.  From Dunedin we tried to take the southern coastal route on our way out of town, and ended up back in town after a 20 minute circle.  Very short on patience at this point, I swore not to take the "scenic" route, but was convinced a second time.  Being very sure to watch for the sign as we took our turn, someone noticed a small sign up the next street off to the right.  Not exactly a beacon, but for an astute group such as us, it only took us two tries.

Cormarants

The Coastal Route took us all the way down to the Catlins, the southern coastal forests.  Our first night in the south was spent near Nugget Point.  As we rolled into town looking for a spot to crash we found the Rata Cottage.  As John and Erika were booking the place, Amanda and I realized it was one of the places we had originally booked for Christmas, but had cancelled after finding a better spot.  Actually the story goes, Amanda called and booked it, then not realizing, I called and said I was interested and was told that another woman had already tentatively booked so I would have to call back, then I found our spot in Niagara, and Amanda called Rata back to tell her we didn't want it anymore and the woman was peeved because she had just had another caller (me) who was intersted but she had shaken him off.  We had a good laugh, but didn't tell our host!

Moeraki Boulders

That night we explored Nugget Point, and got our first glimpse of the yellow-eyed penguins.  First on a beach right next to the road, we saw three of them next to a rock, cautiously surveying us as we peered from inside the van.  We then continued out to the actual point, and the viewing hut, where we watched a couple waddle all the way up from the water, to the grassy hill to their chicks, whom were chirping their parents home all the while.  Very precious.  Though a bit nippy, seeing as this little bay faced south, and we had southerly antarctic winds whipping straight through us.  After returning to the van, those two decided to hide from the wind, but Amanda and I went out to see the "Nuggets" for sunset, along with the points that mark the southern coast.  Just beautiful.

The steepest street in the world

The next day we returned for a proper exploration of the point before proceeding on to Niagara for our Christmas cottage.  Amanda and I unveiled our surprise, a Christmas tree!  We found it at the two dollar store, and it was about a foot tall, but it suited us.  We decorated with two dollar ornaments, and sliced up Christmas candy wrappers for tinsel.  We also collected some branches and such from around the property, how homey it was.  We even had a fireplace to sit by!  And it was cold enough to use it, even in summer.

That afternoon we went on down to Curio Bay to fetch us some Paua.  John and Erika had never tasted it, and seeing as I was now a seasoned veteran paua diver, I thought, I better get them some.  All we had to use, or so I thought, was John's new folding knife, which came in his utensils set from Katmandu.  I dove down in the first hole, and it was surprising how much colder the water was down here.  And no Paua!  Even though it seemed to be a good spot.  Then I saw some other people diving and went to have a look, since I was frozen solid anyways.  I went for a dive, and found plenty, getting two off in about 5 minutes.  Then I found a whopper, and went down for him, but didn't quite get the knife under him before he sucked on.  When I tried to force it, the knife closed... on my finger.  A few beers and a butterfly bandage, and I was fine.  Well.. after an hour or so of bleeding.

Nugget point

Our Christmas Eve feast was of Roast Lamb and veggies and lots and lots of beer and wine, the finest NZ has to offer.  We spent most of the two days lounging about and exploring the area around.  We got John to go for a swim at Dummy beach, in the antarctric water.  What a show!  We took a look at slope point, the most southerly point on the island, and boy was it windy. 

Boxing day we were out of our cottage, and headed first to Tokanui for gas.  And there we sat for the next six hours, because the gas station attendants were nowhere in town, and nobody else could help.  We were only rescued when I called another cottage down the road, who was fully booked, but said they would sell us some petrol.  Ahh.. driving again.  We headed on through Invercargill, and to the gateway to Fiordland, Te Anau.

Lots of fishes

Porpoise Bay

Slope Point

COOOLLD

John and Amanda

The happy crew

Dont Slip!