19 February 2006

Dunedin

Dunedin's a very cool city - am literally just settling now. Have a lovely flat on George St (address/phone numbers below), which is really close to uni, and the actual university is a beautiful old buildings surrounded by a mismatch of modern tower blocks - not that different from Edinburgh! Been hanging out with my wonderful cousin Sally and Lucy Jack and her beau Leigh, and Teresa stayed over one night.

Managed a trip to St. Kilda's beach and to the Otago Peninsula. Stunning beaches and loads of sealions, penguins (only seen a dead one so far, but I'm hoping to work up from that) and fur seals. I've been out swimming with seals twice here - they are so playful and beautiful to watch underwater. The water is bloody cold though, and one young male got a bit boisterous the other day - couldnt tell if he wanted to bite me or hump me...got out pretty sharpish! Other than that I am waiting to register for my courses and partake in a crazy drinkfest known as 'Orientation Week'. Joy.

Had Phoebe to stay for 2 nights then said a tearful farewell yesterday (18th Feb). She's gone back to London to recuperate, then hopefully she might be able to go to Brazil later and meet her mates on their return loop... Miss her already.

Address
607 George St.
North Dunedin
New Zealand

Landline Number
0064 3 474 1156

Mobile Number
0064 21 02256112


St. Kilda's

Wildlife on the Otago Peninsula





My room



Note this sexy coffee table. Bought for me by Anthea, painted by Phoebe. Thanks guys!



Botanical Gardens
Sorry, I've become a bit of an obsessive flower-photographer recently




01 February 2006

The Catlins

Managed to squeeze in a day trip to the Catlins - the area right on the southern tip of NZ. It is such a stunning area. Gorgeous sandy beaches with seals, Hector's Dolphins and sealions, and huge waterfalls set in lush green rainforest.

Waipapa Point









Curio Bay






160 million year old fossilised tree stump

McLean Falls
En route to the falls there's a gorgeous 20min walk through such lush forest. Think I went a bit mad with the number of pics I took...








'Mini-McLean'. I thought this was the real McLean Falls at first, but when you follow the path just a little bit further...




Purakaunui Falls


Nugget Point