Day 15 – Snaking our way to Oamaru, NZ [Saturday 05-Feb

Day 15 – Snaking our way to Oamaru, NZ [Saturday 05-Feb-2011]
We got up early, showered, and hit the road by 5:50AM. It was foggy when we got up and so
was the road for a while. There was very little traffic.
When you go to the bathroom, do not forget to “Horoi o Ringa Ringa” as the Maoris say
We stopped a few times along the road. At first we headed towards the eastern coast of the South
Island and the road then took us inlands along a scenic route that bypassed Christchurch.
As we drove up a smaller pass we got “above” the fog and could see it in the valley
Another beautiful view of the mountains
This seal is just soaking up the morning rays.
This Black Shag is surveying the shore line where we stopped
Along the eastern coast of NZ’s South Island, well above Christchurch
Following a brief encounter with the sun in the early morning, the day turned cloudy. We could
see the edge of the clouds, from time to time, but the sun did not break out. Although we took a
scenic route, there was less to see than one might imagine what it would look like on a sunny
day.
We arrived at John and Lanies place just after 2PM. At this point we have driven about 1,600km
(1,000 miles) since we picked up the car in Auckland. Shortly after we arrived, John and Lanie
took us down to the old town of Oamaru. It was very cute. The buildings are made out of
Oamaru Lime Stone (aka White Stone).
We are taking a walking tour of the old town Oamaru with John and Lanie.
Lilli and Lanie are talking at an art house in old town Oamaru
John at the recently renovated Opera House in Oamaru
The ghost of John appeared as I was taking a picture. I was scared.
Lanie is quite artistic and decorates flower pots with crushed china
A close up of one of the mosaic flower pots. I think Lanie needs to go global with them.
John is loading up a bowl of chips for happy hour
After dinner, John took me and Lilli down to see the little blue penguins as they return back from
sea to their nests. They were very cute. I was not able to take any pictures because it was too
dark and the penguins are blinded by flashes.
Lightshow on the recently renovated Opera House in Oamaru, NZ