These feet were made for… hiking!

One big cultural adjustment of going from a small school that occupies a wee couple of blocks to a large university that occupies heaps more blocks!  I think the only time I have worn my jandals (sandals) was the one day I was at the beach during my program’s orientation.  If I wore jandals here, my feet would fall off!

Along with the difference in campus size, not having a car or access to many modes of transportation that can get you very far, walking has become the next best option.  Frequently, I have walked around the city near campus, and this week brought hiking into the picture.  

On Sunday, a few friends and I were headed out to hike Mount Cargill, a volcano in Dunedin.  We walked the whole way there, instead of taking the bus about the distance it would take us to walk to the bus stop.  We walked down the road and past the World’s Steepest Street, Baldwin Street where we naturally had to stop and walk up the street before continuing on to Mt. Cargill.  The trail went up through a gully, through beautiful rainforest-like foliage.  We decided to take the trail to the Organ Pipes, a rock formation that looks like pipes on an organ.  There, we had lunch and climbed up the pipes!  What beautiful views!!  From the top of the pipes, we could see all of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula.  When it was time, we hiked out by a different path, down a road that led us back the way we needed to get back to campus.  All in all, we walked about 15 miles in 7 hours on Sunday, and it was beautiful!

The Organ Pipes from below!

Hike number two for the week was a day at the beach, literally.  Two friends and I set out and caught the bus to the Otago peninsula at 9am with hopes of seeing penguins.  The bus driver quickly informed us of the cheaper options and he graciously advised us where to find the right map.  The bus dropped us in a town called Portobello on the west coast of the peninsula. We found a map, and set off to adventure across the Otago peninsula (and when I say across, I mean across)!  We hiked up a road, through farmland and hills (lots of hills), and breathtaking scenery.  We walked 8.6 km (about 5 miles) to the center of the peninsula to see Larnach Castle, the only castle in New Zealand!  From there, we walked about 5 km (3 mi) to Sandfly Bay.  Wow, it was gorgeous!!

At Sandfly Bay, we walked down a sand dune (which reminded me of the dunes in Michigan!!) to the beach!  At the bottom of the dune, guess what was dozing in the sand?!  A sea lion!!  A huge, live, wild sea lion.  With turquoise ocean and tall cliffs and the sun shining, it was an amazing sight.

A sea lion on Sandfly Bay!

We walked to the other end of the beach where there were seals beaching and basking in the hot sun.  After watching them, we decided to relax in the sun for a while too before we needed to head back to catch the bus.  Gosh, it was beautiful!

At about 3:30, we had one last look over at the rocks by where the seals were and there it was.  What we had been waiting for all day… a penguin!!  We saw a real live yellow-eyed penguin!  So cool!! And it was so so cute!!!

The penguin!

Back in Portobello after our hike back to town, we had extra time before the bus arrived, which gave us a great opportunity to get fish and chips at the local fish stop!  And yes to all of you who are doubting my fish-eating… I did eat the fish and chips, and I liked it!

This week has been quite an adventure!  In total, I have walked over 30 miles in the past three days, getting myself to places I want to see.  I must say that is not something I expected to be doing, but it has been an amazing experience and I don’t think there is a better way to see the country than to walk through it.  My shoes sure are getting their money’s worth!

**I have added pictures to an online photo sharing site so that you can see MORE of my pictures if you’d like!!
The web address is: http://newzealandthroughmylens.shutterfly.com/

The link is also on the right hand side above the "Follow By Email" section in "My Pages".
On the page, click on the "Pictures & Videos" tab!

Please enjoy!!

Blessings from New Zealand!

Kelsey Baker