Narrated by Mike

We put Dora to the test yesterday – covering 450+ kilometers (we use the metric system here you American snobs) – which is nearly one quarter of the south island north to south.
First stop was the Meoraki Boulders – a series of 20-30 nearly perfectly spherical boulders dating back millions of years on a gorgeous beach surrounded by cliffs. As we approached the boulders in the distance we both had the same reaction: “huh they look like rocks on a beach, probably not worth the drive.” But when we got up close, our minds were changed immediately. The amazingly odd shape & placement of the boulders make you think they are alien eggs ready to hatch at any minute. Very cool to experience first hand. And the rain that poured down us on the drive there was kind enough to break long enough to let us explore them & get back on the road en route to Otago Peninsula.

Holy hell. As if driving on the left side of the road isn’t stressful enough, the Otago Peninsula takes it up about 10 notches. While it’s a beautiful drive RIGHT along the ocean & surround by green mountains, the road is crazy narrow & seemingly intentionally winding. Drifting just a foot outside your lane will either put you into the ocean or a stone wall (seriously: https://instagram.com/p/_ToxhYmW39/). After safely navigating the course we arrived at the tip of the Peninsula high above the ocean surround by high cliffs & the deafening scream of thousands of seagulls. It was a scene straight out of How to Train Your Dragon – only with lame seagulls (and allll of their poop) covering the rocky cliffs instead of awesome dragons.

The highlight here (besides the view) was the collection of penguins & seals making their home on the rocks below us. We were even able to walk down a path which would have given me free reign to run up to & hug THREE wild seals & sea lions if my wife wasn’t such a party pooper. Humph.

 From there we left the countryside behind & drove to the city of Dunedin, the most lively place we’ve been to in the country so far. A popular college town, we had dinner at Speight’s – a brewery that dates back to 1876 & is one of the most popular beer brands in New Zealand. With full bellies we found a nearby campsite to rest in preparation for another big day ahead…