Dunedin

Tuesday February 20
Off we went this morning to Dunedin and a visit to marine research center / aquarium associated with Osago University. We continued from there to a guided tour of a wild and gorgeous area where we saw fur seals and sea lions. Then we went on to an area called Penguin Beach. We rode on 8 wheel drive Argo vehicles to get to these remote areas. Great Fun !

We could only get within several hundred yards of the beach but saw a hald a dozen yellow-eyed penguins on the beach. These penguins are among the rarest and most endangered species on the planet – more rare than the white rhino. They exist only in Southern New Zealand and number only in the hundreds. We spent three hours on a bus today : ( - yes I complained mightily) but it was worth it in the end to have the privilege to have seen these beautiful creatures.

Back to the ship for tea and scones… (hee hee hee), hot tub and ready for dinner – at Sabitini’s again tonight.

The next two days we will be sailing through the area known as the Fiordlands and up Milford Sound. I am hoping for lots of good photo ops.