Dunedin. Pronounciation: dun-E-din. First stop is the train station. Gorgeous architecture and still used today, but mostly for tourism. It is impossible to count all the images of trains throughout the station, from the tiles on the ground to the stained-glass windows.
Second stop is the historic Presbyterian church. Dunedin was settled mostly by Scottish who built this beautiful church, which is now open to the public. Entering the wooden double doors, a spirit of reverence immediately washes over us. The inside has a ethereal glow enhanced by the light streaming in through the stained-glass windows. In the balcony, the organ chimes out old favourite hymns reverberating against the high ceiling and enhancing the worship moment.
Back in town, we stop at two sports stores and Amy buys a surfboard. Now she won't have to borrow from Jon, who has been gracious. Lunch is at a cafe in the center of town where we can watch locals and tourists cross paths.
According to the Guiness Book of World Records, Baldwin St is the worlds steepest street. And there is a sign to prove it. I have to admit, it's pretty steep. First, we walked up the 270 steps, then (yes, I was entrusted with the keys) we drove. The houses and people at the bottom quickly faded as we rose above.
Like other towns we've noticed, shops in Dunedin close at 5pm. With the city shutting down, we are forced to leave. On the way home, we stop at Nugget Point. A lighthouse crests the point overlooking rugged boulders jutting out of the sea (nuggets). The setting sun casts a warm glow over the bay and notice a Yellow-Eyed Penguin look-out trench nearby. Shortly after we arrive, we are lucky to see a pair of penguins coming out of the sea to nest for the night. Then another pair come out. They are amazing to watch as they gracefully surf the waves then stand up and waddle across the sand, hopping across rocks to their grass shelters in the hillside. We are surprised that the Elephant Seals and sealions don't bother them. We learn that this is the only place in NZ (other than the sea) where all three coexist.
Like other towns we've noticed, shops in Dunedin close at 5pm. With the city shutting down, we are forced to leave. On the way home, we stop at Nugget Point. A lighthouse crests the point overlooking rugged boulders jutting out of the sea (nuggets). The setting sun casts a warm glow over the bay and notice a Yellow-Eyed Penguin look-out trench nearby. Shortly after we arrive, we are lucky to see a pair of penguins coming out of the sea to nest for the night. Then another pair come out. They are amazing to watch as they gracefully surf the waves then stand up and waddle across the sand, hopping across rocks to their grass shelters in the hillside. We are surprised that the Elephant Seals and sealions don't bother them. We learn that this is the only place in NZ (other than the sea) where all three coexist.
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