Street Art and natural mysteries

 February 10th

Maybe we should have left the site earlier. Such a lazy start, took our time over breakfast and fifed and faffed about leaving just before the allotted time of 10 am. This was to be our downfall because trying to park in Dunedin was a nightmare! Round and round we drove until eventually finding a spot at the highest point of the town on a road called Khyber Pass! This meant a decent walk down a very steep hill before we could start the Street Art trail!

We had a map with all the places to go and see them. All numbered we were determined to start at number one. This was so much fun, we got to see parts of Dunedin only the locals would know and found this lovely pub which had it been open, we would have frequented. 

I was going to put the photos in order of our visit but it would have meant a massive picture show which would take up all of this blog so apart from several that were favourites, the rest are in collage form.

This was one long painting through a passage. The best bits are shown here.

Did you know that Robbie Burns the national poet of Scotland, has his statue standing in the Octagon of Dunedin? I assumed it was because this town has a very Scottish influence but it turns out his nephew Thomas Burns was a leading figure in the founder of the Otago province.

The St Paul's Anglican Cathedral can be seen in the distance. When in any city we try to visit the Cathedral and most have been  elaborate affairs but this one was very modest in appearence.

All in all the walk to find all the street art took well over three hours. My Fitbit watch recorded 14.254 steps, roughly 5 miles! Apart from a sit down for lunch at a Subway, that's a long time on one's feet. The knee held up remarkably well, maybe all the Ibuprofen I take on a regular basis was bringing the inflammation down. But we hadn't finished yet. Up that very steep hill toward the Toy another attraction was at the very top. The Museum of Natural History, a bizarre collection of unique, curious, rare, creative, surprising and even frightening items picked up over a lifetime. Created by mural artist and sculptor Bruce Mahalski, he has spent a lifetime in searching for items to put in the museum. These are just a small part of what is on offer. You need to see for yourself.

All made from bones of animals

 

 

This small museum alone would have been worth that climb, it appealed to both of us although it's not everyone's cup of tea. Some foetuses were also on show.

With no plan for where to stay tonight a discussion was had that our best bet would be to try and go back to last night's site. Thankfully, even at the late hour of 5 pm, he could fit us in. Tomorrow another day will be spent around Dunedin. The gardens appeal as does the planetarium.