Mount Cook to Oamaru
On February 19th, I reluctantly left Mount Cook and headed back to the coast to Oamaru, which I had been at a few days before. My route traced several more stunning lakes. I also decided stop in at Lake Benmore on a whim, which was just gorgeous. I also took a detour to some striking sandstone cliffs, and at the town of Duntroon, I chose to take a backroad route for the last bit to Oamaru, since it was the same distance but would pass through more countryside than the main road. When I arrived in Oamaru, I secured a spot at a holiday park (last time I do that -- it was nice, but I have come to take hostels for granted and didn't realize that just because the park had a kitchen, it did not mean they had things to cook with!). I spent the evening exploring the nearby botanic gardens and attempted to see some residents of the local Little Blue and Yellow-Eyed penguin colonies (with no luck).
I started the morning with a bit of an adventure by challenging my car to make it to Twizel on what was left of my last tank... I'm sure Erik (who I gave a ride into the town of Twizel) enjoyed the uncertainty of if we were going to make it (hey, he was planning on hitchhiking anyway).
Near Twizel, the National Rowing Championships were being held on Lake Ruataniwha.
Lake Benmore was the off-the-track lake I ventured to explore.
I adore this picture so much, you can see it a second time... I think it really captures the atmosphere.
Just around the corner revealed the rest of the cloud...
"Land of the Long White Cloud" showing off.
One-lane bridges are common here.
I took a 15km gravel detour to the geological marvel of the Clay Cliffs. "Thousands of years of weathering created this awe-inspiring geological formation of eroded pinnacles and gulches. Separated by deep, narrow ravines and canyons makes it look like a set out of a Wild West movie." (source)
Lake Aviemore.
Mags, you wanted sheep... so here you go.
White sheep: "Lay still -- the others must not know of our forbidden love."
Black sheep: "Aye, we've been spotted!"
RUN FOR THE HILLS!
Oamaru Gardens.
Playing with water reflections.
Japanese Red Bridge.
When I walked by this drainage pipe, about a dozen little birds flew away.
I sat quietly behind a rock until they started re-appearing...
I obviously happened upon bath time. :)
There was even an aviary in the gardens.
This rooster was GIANT... like as big as a turkey giant!
A lovely dove.
Not sure why this was in the aviary, but it was interesting none-the-less.
Downtown Oamaru has some the best-preserved Victorian buildings.
This was the view from the cold, Penguin-less beach.
I started the morning with a bit of an adventure by challenging my car to make it to Twizel on what was left of my last tank... I'm sure Erik (who I gave a ride into the town of Twizel) enjoyed the uncertainty of if we were going to make it (hey, he was planning on hitchhiking anyway).
Near Twizel, the National Rowing Championships were being held on Lake Ruataniwha.
Lake Benmore was the off-the-track lake I ventured to explore.
I adore this picture so much, you can see it a second time... I think it really captures the atmosphere.
Just around the corner revealed the rest of the cloud...
"Land of the Long White Cloud" showing off.
One-lane bridges are common here.
I took a 15km gravel detour to the geological marvel of the Clay Cliffs. "Thousands of years of weathering created this awe-inspiring geological formation of eroded pinnacles and gulches. Separated by deep, narrow ravines and canyons makes it look like a set out of a Wild West movie." (source)
Lake Aviemore.
Mags, you wanted sheep... so here you go.
White sheep: "Lay still -- the others must not know of our forbidden love."
Black sheep: "Aye, we've been spotted!"
RUN FOR THE HILLS!
Oamaru Gardens.
Playing with water reflections.
Japanese Red Bridge.
When I walked by this drainage pipe, about a dozen little birds flew away.
I sat quietly behind a rock until they started re-appearing...
I obviously happened upon bath time. :)
There was even an aviary in the gardens.
This rooster was GIANT... like as big as a turkey giant!
A lovely dove.
Not sure why this was in the aviary, but it was interesting none-the-less.
Downtown Oamaru has some the best-preserved Victorian buildings.
This was the view from the cold, Penguin-less beach.