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Super-quick update time! Yesterday we moved on to Dunedin, where I hopped straight off the bus and on to a wildlife tour on the Otago Peninsula. The first stop was a rather desolate cliff face, home to the only mainland albatross colony in the world. Unfortunately no albatross blessed us with their presence (it was rather unlikely anyway as they spend 4 days out at sea before returning for 15 minutes to feed their chicks), but there were plenty of cormorants and black gulls hanging around. Next up was a beach that could only be reached through a sheep field (those sheep are everywhere here) and down a steep hill. Immediately we spotted a yellow-eyed penguin (the rarest penguins in the world) on her way up the hill to her territory, and another surfing in on the waves - he waddled right past us! Further along the beach we sat in a hide and watched more penguins coming home from their days fishing. Walking back along the beach, we spotted a young female sea lion playing in the surf, who then decided to try and play with us. This awoke a male who was sleeping nearby, and he thought it was about time to show her who was boss - he was very scary! Next up we went to see the New Sealand Fur Seal colony on the other side of the hill - a lot of fat pups were snoozing or frolicking in the rock pools, which was rather sweet! Whilst watching the seals, we spotted a couple of small albatross (wingspan about 2 metres) gliding over the waves a couple of hundred metres away - they were rather impressive even from that distance!
Today we moved on to Lake Tekapo, via the Moetaki boulders and Lake Pukaki (which was meant to reflect Mount Cook, but it was too cloudy). As soon as we arrived here I was out the door and walking up to the summit of Mount John, in the snow! It was rather chilly up there, but the views of the surrounding mountains were really incredible. I am now thawing back in the warmth of the hostel. On to Christchurch tomorrow!
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Christine C So it's nature and wildlife time in NZ! And the middle of winter for you with glacier and snow : I hope you still have free hot soup when you come back to your hostel ...