The original plan was to spend two days in both Queenstown and Te Anau. But one day in each location was plenty and provided just enough additional time for a tour through the Catlins, an area of incredible ocean vistas and additional opportunities for wild life encounters. The trusty motorhome -took us over the meadow, through the bush, and the windy ocean-side roads in search of a penguins, seal, sea lions, and fossilized forests. We found seals, and the forest fossils but were too early(5 PM) for the yellow eyed penguins. They tend to emerge from the water around dusk and waddle up to the nearby rocks and bushes. It is a wonder that the penguins manage the climb up to the rocks. Apparently some use the stairs provided for people to make their way out of the cold and into the shelter of the bushes. Penguin droppings -per the gov't naturalist there- indicated where they rest. On this same beach was the forest that was blown down and then covered with silica during a volcanic eruption. The silica coating preserved what was once a large stand of trees. Mother Nature at work.
It was a good day and Love Bird Laura and I have enjoyed the local wines at Miller Time. This was complemented with cheese, crackers, and summer sausage. You know it's camping Batie style.
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