Otago Pennisula

Sat Jan 16:

I got up early and on the bike for a hill climb on Otago Penninsula on HighCliff road. I must say, so far the ratio of rewarding views vs hill climbing work in NZ is very high.

The girls picked me and bike up at the top of the hill, on the way to the end of the peninsula, where we went to the Royal Abatross reserve and watched some big birds sit on eggs. These birds have the largest wingspan of any bird…amazing gliders. Then to the Yellow-eyed Penguin reserve/conservancy. There we quietly walked through tunnels and trenches to hides designed to view the birds up close with minimal impact. There are only about 1000 of these penguins left (or is it 1000 pairs?). The adults are nearly as tall as Eleanor. Picnic and playground for a couple hours in a seaside village on the peninsula.

Then to the Larnach Castle. Built with gold money by a banker, who killed himself later in life, possibly related to money or sex scandal. He left quite a home, with a great view, and great venue for a wedding which was starting as we left at 5pm.