NZ2024 - Leg 9 - Kaka Point to Dunedin - March 4

I really didn't want to leave Kaka Point.  I hadn't walked on the beach, or felt the sand between my toes.  I hadn't sat on the deck and listened to the myriad of songbirds and the quiet between their songs and the waves below rushing up the beach.  There were still so many places to see in the Catlins and along the south coast, but leave we must, and it was rainy and windy and it was time to go before an expected storm hit.  All those didn't-do's would have to wait for next time.  The list continues to grow.

My friend Linda and I had chatted about the plan - as we do every day.  Although we don't really want to plan every detail, but have some flexibility around where we go and what we do - being too rigid can backfire - it's good to have a general sense of what we're doing so that we can ensure that we are in agreement.  Today's plan was to get to Dunedin, and, because the weather was anticipated to be rain and wind, go to the Otago museum to see the cultural exhibits there.  We needed a day off, time to unwind, catch up on our writing, and backing up photos, and just rest for a day and an evening.  

First we needed some coffee and breakfast however, and we found a place in Balclutha to fill up on gas and then to fill up our innards.  The Heart and Soul Cafe was large, inviting, warm and friendly with an extensive menu and excellent service.  We had a fairly big breakfast, then stopped at a small second-hand store with very interesting pieces in the front window.  Linda picked out a beautiful top that really suited her and fit perfectly.  And then we were off again toward Dunedin.

We found the museum with no difficulty, although parking was a question.  One thing about Google maps is that it can take you to an address, but it leaves figuring out the last little bit to you.  It assumes you're just going to park in front of the main door, and that's that.  Doesn't always work that way.  But since we weren't planning to walk much today, walking a couple of blocks to the museum from the first available parking spot we saw was no big deal.  

The museum was a piece of work in itself, and had obviously been around for a long time, and just as obviously been updated and modernized.  

      

While it advertised a Planetarium (if we'd had more time I would have definitely gone to see that) and an indoor living forest and Science Center, also time-dependent, we opted to see the Maori cultural and historic exhibit.  It was very informative, and we learned a lot about how similar and different the indigenous cultures were here in NZ to elsewhere in the Pacific, as well as at home in North America.  

 

The Europeans, in their bid to "take over the world" really did such a disservice everywhere.  So many cultures have been lost - and are continuing to be lost -  in the effort to ensure that Christianity and democracy are spread throughout the world.  As if those are the only cultures that are "right".  We don't know that.  But I digress....

We spent a couple of hours browsing the exhibits - which are free to the public.  Only admission to the Science Center and Planetarium require an admission fee.  The gift shop at the entry area then beckoned and while there were a number of exquisite and unique items, I managed to limit my purchases to a few greeting cards adorned with local art.

It was time to eat.  Linda remembered there was a lovely restaurant with a second story, glass wall lookout, steps from where we had parked.  Perfect!  It was the Oaken Cafe and Restaurant, which of course served some lovely coffee (Flat White) and great sandwiches.  I chose a smoked salmon w/cream cheese and salad on a bagel - very tasty once I got past the lovely presentation.

  

That was it.  We were ready to put our feet up, and take a break from it all.  We found our hotel - The Victoria Hotel only a block or two from The Octagon - and were really pleased with the size of the room.  A King bed, table and chairs, kitchen complete with a tea kettle and tea/coffee and milk in the fridge, and loads of room to stretch out.  I could catch up on the blog (which unfortunately I still only managed one day), and we could write our postcards.

After a pause and rest, we chose to have dinner in the hotel restaurant, where they were very accomodating about us not wanting a huge meal.  Linda was able to get a half-size serving of the fish and chips - and sub a salad for the chips.  I just got an appetizer of bao buns and a side salad - perfect since we hadn't put many steps on today.

After supper, I walked over to the Octagon, where I learned there was a Fine Wine store still open, althoug little else was open.  Even in the downtown core, there wasn't much happening.  In two blocks I only saw about a dozen people, and they all seemed like tourists, much like myself.  The streets were clean and well lit, and I felt perfectly safe - unlike many cities of similar size in other countries.

All in all, another good day, even though it wasn't nearly as packed or adventurous.  The wind had turned pretty cold, although the rain had tapered off, and we needed a good sleep for tomorrow's adventure.  Although we had hoped to spend several days in Dunedin in one stretch, Pink was in town the next day, and accomodations were completely unavailable - so we will go up into the hills almost two hours away, to the Maniototo area - just for one night.  There is much to experience there as well, and hopefully it will be much quieter.