simplerhappier - travel blog

Monday

Apr192010

otago peninsula

Monday, April 19, 2010 at 10:02AM

After a night in Oamaru and my first encounter with the Yellow Eyed Penguin, I made my way down the East Coast towards Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. A brief stop just off the coastal road and my camera was working overtime at the Moeraki Boulders. What it is about these cylindrical boulders propped on the beach, I don't know, but there is something mystical and intriguing about them.

one of the moeraki boulders

Making my way into Dunedin, I was shut out in an attempt to land a hostel bed for the night so decided to take my chances on finding a spot at a holiday park on the Otago Peninsula. This worked well as I was then situated better for the next days wanderings around the wildlife rich and beautiful beaches it's well known for. After finding a site in Portobello, I headed out towards the Royal Albatross Centre to watch these huge birds fly around the cliffs close to the building (the free version of visiting the Centre).

The next day I set off to do a couple of walks starting off with Harbour Cone, the highpoint of the Peninsula. With views in every direction it was the perfect place to gain orientation for the rest of the day. Setting out next for the Sandfly Bay track, I made a wrong turn and not really caring ended up at the end of a desolate and impossibly picturesque bay, Hoopers Inlet. By chance or fate while looking at a map to find out how to get back to Sandfly Bay, Dawn and Janne from Wales and Holland, walked around the corner also looking for directions. Having taken a bus from Dunedin and being a bit out of their way, I offered a ride to the other side of Otago Peninsula. We ended up spending the rest of the afternoon hanging out, seeing ONE penguin, several seals and an endless number of incredible views along the coasts and inland hills.

sandfly bay

John Kershner |

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Friday

Apr162010

aoraki / mt. cook national park

Friday, April 16, 2010 at 10:21AM

I grew up hiking and visiting the mountains with my family. Sometimes (alot) I complained about walking too far or up the steep hill to 'enjoy' the view. It's tough as a kid. But I can thank my dad especially for putting me through those 'tough times' as I've learned to appreciate and enjoy the outdoors and especially those mountains.

I'd landed in Christchurch and made a beeline with my campervan rental towards Mt. Cook National Park. My first views of the mountain (and only it as it turned out) were from Lake Tekapo, Southwest of the Park. I booked a site along Lake Pukaki and headed towards Mt. Cook Village to get my bearings and plan a walk or two while there. The new Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center seemed right up my alley and I'd end up visiting a couple of times over the next two days. The film (not in the main theatre) about his life was really interesting and left me wanting to read more about the adventure seeking man. Mt. Cook was his base for training for his eventual summit of Mt. Everest and all his other journeys.

I decided that the hike up the Hooker Valley was best suited for the rainy day I'd been given and took off on the 3 hour hike. Despite the rain and fog, the views through the valley and of the Hooker Glacier were fantastic as was the chance to stretch my legs a bit. I missed being able to take in the beauty that only a majestic peak like Mt. Cook can have but there's always next time!