Sunday 20 March 2011

Kia Ora,

Another wonderful day here in Dunedin. We took our time getting going this morning as we had to start preparing for an early departure tomorrow. Finally got outside around 11:30. Nice day, a bit cooler than yesterday. But no rain.

Our goal was to walk to the other end of town, to see the world’s steepest street, Baldwin.  Being uphill, Mimi walked it.  Was not on my bucket list.   Then we returned through the Botanic Gardens, coming by chance upon the Dunedin Jazz Orchestra performing in a band shell. Families, couples and others camped all around.  Michael would have savored the moment....good music, and a young couple dancing to a swing/fox trot, all on the grass.  We walked away to strains of Cole Porter’s  ‘I’ve Got You Under my Skin’.  We continued through the park that led us right into the student ghetto and then onto the University of Otago grounds, noting both the good and bad aftermaths of a college town the day after a major sports event. We decided afterwards that we had probably walked a good 10k. It was truly wonderful to have visited so many different parts of Dunedin these past three days. Mimi’s biggest regret is not having gotten out to the Otago peninsula a second time. That will be for the next visit.

Now packing for tomorrow’s early morning six hour bus trip up to Christchurch.  

We may not be in contact now until Tuesday or Wednesday. We have certainly been spoiled by the Internet here. Free and fast. 

ciao

Little bakery..all (meat) pies gone within an hour or so!

Oddly enough, this was on window of a house while I walked to top of Baldwin. Guess the image thing permeates thinking everywhere.

Shows the gradient really clearly.

Walking into Botanic Gardens

Such fun listening to this Jazz Orchestra

Beautiful gardens

These two were fabulous dancers!

Love those post campus party sofa cinders

The Student Ghetto (or part of it!)

Beautiful campus of Otago University

These seemingly small houses were centers for various studies

Protesting the lack of help and awareness for Bahrain

St. Mary's

Headed back into the city center

Lunch/dinner in our room at 526 George Street Hotel

Of course, I just HAD to pick this up!