19th January arrived and we had to say goodbye to Australia (for the time being) we had loved every minute, but were looking forward to New Zealand.

I guess it was our turn to hit problems, our trip up to then had been worry free. So on arriving at Brisbane Airport not only did Virgin have a problem with our booked seats, they also informed us our flight had been delayed yet again meaning we would arrive in Christchurch at past 3 am when it would be far too late for our hotel shuttle to collect usI Also the so called free wifi wouldnt work so informing car rental and hotel became impossible! Come back from retirement Mr Branson and sort Virgin Australia out please. Not good!

Hey ho! Left sunny Brissie 28C arrived into New Zealand 10C Brrrrrrrrrrr! A definite shock! Once we had our 5 hours sleep and collected our Grey rental car for the next 3 weeks, we headed out to drive down to Dunedin. A trek that we were told would be boring. Perhaps compared with some parts of NZ maybe, but we enjoyed it and Dunedin is a lovely City. Of all the friends who have visited the South Island, not one mentioned here. Yesterday we had a wildlife day. Awesome is the only word!

Firstly we headed along the Otago peninsula. A 18miles strip of land I really cant describe to do it justice. The road meanders bend after bend for most of the 18 miles. Along side of you is the southern ocean, well the inlet that must be around 2 miles wide in parts. Its like drive along the Lakes of Italy or the coast road down the west coast of California, but without the cliffs between us and the water. Well theres NOTHING between us and the water. In places not even a blade of grass! Bear a little too far left with the sterring wheel and you're in it! Scary!

We were here to see the Royal Albatross and their nesting grounds. Oh what a wonderful facility they have made right at the end of the peninsula where these magnificent birds call home for the months they return to raise their young. For over 90 years New Zealand Royal Albatross Centre have provided a sanctuary to save the birds from extinction and now they have pairs arriving to have their chicks annually and folks like us can see them safely and help with their funding. It was a brilliant few hours and when we headed back into Dunedin we thought we had enjoyed an amazing, never to be forgotten time.

But, whilst there, we booked to return at 9.15pm to see the other residents of the centre! On the beach, at dusk, every night sees the return of ......... the little Blue Penguin! So we drive the windy, windy road FOUR TIMES in total, and once in the dark! Are we mad?

The little Blue Penguin is totally worth it! We arrive back at the centre for coffee at 8.30pm, and after a talk to tell us, they are the smallest Penguins in the world, are only found in South Austalia and N Z and they weigh just 1 kilo each, around 25 of us head down onto the beach to await the little cuties IN THE DARK! They go out to sea before dawn every day and return after dusk when they have finished feeding. We wait. Its 9.45pm We wait surrounded by squawking Gulls, some Black Oyster catchers, the occasional Royal Albatross. But we wait!

Then suddenly about 400 yards out to sea, the water shimmers and appears to boil. The surface of the sea is moving towards us, its a weird sight then, right at the waters edge, 80 plus little penguins arrive! They all come toddling up the beach ( we are all standing on a raised platform with gentle lighting under us, where some of their burrows are) It is incredible. Utterly unbelievable. I cannot believe its real, but this happens evey night of the year at dusk and except for Christmas day, visitors arrive to watch.

Due to the habitat that has been supported by the Centre, the population of these wonderful creatures has doubled and will continue to. During the next 30minutes we watch in total amazement as approximately 140 Penguins arrive home. Amazing! Awesome! As we head back to our apartment again on that dark winding road, Peter and I are speechless at the wonderful treat nature and New Zealand have given us. 

If you manage to get to the end of all my blogs you will find a video of the Penguins I have downloaded at the end of our trip.