[Otago Peninsula, New Zealand] Our first overcast day so far. The sun was trying, but not being very successful. Thats OK though as we had a long list of things to do in nearby Dunedin that were mostly indoors.

First up was the train station. The Flemish renaissance style building was actually very nice and very English despite its official classification. We wandered in, took some snaps, bypassed the sporting legends museum before having a look around the weekly farmers market set up at the end of a platform. It was mostly local produce and a couple of buskers including a trio of belly dancing hippies. We decided to try the local beef and picked up some rib eye steaks before hurrying onto our appointment with Cadbury World.

Cadbury’s factory has been in Dunedin in some form or other for over a hundred years. Unfortunately the factory section was closed (it being the weekend) but there was still some interesting bits to see. We were taken around by an enthusiastic young Kiwi with pockets full of chocolate that he dispensed in return for correct answers to his Chocolate trivia questions. It kept us on our toes. The highlight of the tour was the chocolate fountain where one ton of liquid chocolate is poured down the centre of the inside of a disused storage silo, then pumped back up for the next tour group. It serves no other purpose than our entertainment. Would have liked to have been in the meeting when they came up with that idea. Apparently the ton of chocolate repeats it’s show for a year by which time things inside the silo get decidedly gross. The year old goo then goes off to some very lucky pigs on a farm somewhere while some unlucky cleaners have to abseil into the silo with high pressure cleaning equipment.

We were also introduced to Jaffas, our new favorite nibble plus some interesting free choccies that we have not seen before (perky nanas, chewys and chocolate fish). We left the building with a huge packet full of chocolate which I’m sure will not last very long. The Jaffas barely made it back to the campsite (there were 6 left in the packet).

After the tour we headed for the centre of town along the way getting sidetracked by some bicycle and outdoor gear shops. How can the same Icebreaker T-shirt Simon bought in the UK possibly be more expensive in NZ where it is made?

The empty city centre was a little slice of Scotland with buildings trying hard to give the city a distinguished history. This country was the very last place to be colonized by people and so most of the historical buildings are only slightly more than a hundred years old. The city was also pretty empty. It’s mostly students that live here and there aren’t too many of them about during the holidays. The remainder of the towns population seemed to be at the supermarket we visited to pick up some supplies.

The Otago museum was excellent. Well laid out, lots to look at, few people and best of all free. Though we did make a donation to the stuffed moa at the entrance. We could have spent half a day there.

Our very last sight was Baldwin street. The worlds steepest street according to the Guinness book of records. At over 30 degrees we decided not to stress our Vanette and elected to walk to the top instead. It’s steep! Would not like to live on this street though Sim says it would be fun to ride a bike down (not up).

The weather turned all drizzly and as we drove along the scenic route along the Peninsula to our caravan park we lamented the fact that we forgot to take pictures of the pretty harbor when the sun was out yesterday. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Back at our campsite (more like a car park) Sim cooked us the most mouthwatering, fantastic meal so far. Steak, mash and corn on the cob. Marvelous. NZ beef has turned out to be streaks ahead of the dismal stuff we gave up trying to eat in the UK. Sim of course is taking full advantage of his hero status. He is a wonderful cook and I don’t mind doing the dishes. In typical fashion, as we settled down for the evening, the sun finally came out.

[Pictures: No photos allowed inside Cadbury’s – so this I our new number 1 munchie. Dunedin city centre looking very Scottish? What’s wrong with these two pics Baldwin Street?]

– Posted from my iPhone via 3G