Not left Dunedin yet.

 February 12th

 I didn't hear a thing, deep in the land of nod was I, but Ian apparently did. Talking outside the van at some silly hour and the deep throaty noise of a Ute as it pulled in very close to the Toy. He was quite disgruntled first thing, not being able to get back to sleep for ages. It became very obvious what the noise was all about as the curtains were opened this morning.

 It appeared to be blocking us as well as two cars parked by the cabins. What a good job we didn't want to leave early, this would really have made our day!

Otago Museum was on the outskirts of Dunedin and with it being a Sunday, had no trouble parking nearby.  The reason for the visit was to go to the Planetarium which was housed on the second floor of the building. The museum itself was free, but the planetarium and Tuhura Science Centre were not. Not a huge amount to go in, $7 each for a 45-minute star gazing show. We paid over our money and then was told the next show wasn't until 12.30 pm. Oh well, a look around the museum it was then. 

So glad we did because what small parts we did see were fascinating. In particular the Tangata Whenua room. Tangata Whenua is used to describe the Maori people of a particular locality, or people of the land. This was centred around those that lived by Shag River Mouth. Some history HERE

Waka (canoe)

Moa Egg

We wandered into a Marine room, a massive skeleton of a Finn Whale

Everything in this room was right up Ian's street, Loads of model boats to look at, most from New Zealand. Although I appreciate the work that must have gone into making these models, it was not for me. This was the only real thing that held my interested.

This room had to be cut short because the time for the planetarium show was about to start. I literally fell into my seat, "Crikey" I remarked to Ian, "These are a bit laid back". Laughingly he soon put me straight. "You idiot", he replied. "What do you normally do when looking at the stars"! Anyway the huge dome was soon covered in hundreds of stars and constellations were marked out with lasers. Those with motion sickness would have to close eyes when we zoomed from one star to the next.

Uranus with one of its many moons

Our Galaxy

A black hole

And this is Mars

We left the planetarium wishing we could have stayed longer. It was very much the best thing we had seen for a while. Instead of leaving the building, I wanted to have a quick look at the animal taxidermy. Most were collected during the Victorian era, consequently the coats on quite a few of the animals had faded due to too much daylight being allowed in the room. Today the lighting is more subdued for preserving what little colour on the coats are left. 

Oh, and a while ago I was tasked in photographing a Bittern. I wonder if this count, Dave G?

On the way out we almost stumbled upon an Alligator! Ian decided this would be a good photo opportunity. My turn to call him an idiot!

And I never knew about this!

And I saw a Weta.

Cave Spider

Marvellous few hours in the museum and could have stayed longer but there was washing to be done. A Liquid Launderette was but 5-minute drive away and today was the turn of bedding. 

That job done we went off to find somewhere to park for the night. A car park by the station had camping permitted signs, that would do nicely.

The railway line is behind the fence.

 

But it all went horribly wrong! For a start the traffic noise from the SH1 was horrendous, then a goods train came past rattling and clattering and the squeal from the brakes as he stopped at the station was ear piercing! And then to add insult to injury someone was playing very loud Indian music through a Tannoy! OMG, Nop we could stand it no longer. 7 pm we left, Ian had located another car park a bit further from town and right by a sports field. Kept everything crossed we would find a space and very relieved when we did.

We leave Dunedin tomorrow, I think everything has been seen and done that we were interested in. Off to