Let's Go Otago

Here we have Dick's recount of our sojourn's first day trip, and a fitting pic of the shark.

The couples decided to rent a car and included shark and I in their plans to go sightseeing.  Trevor wanted to stay home and watch the NFL playoffs on his computer.  Our first stop was the Otago Peninsula: a coastal drive of about 30 mins outside the city.  We went to see albatrosses, yellow-eyed and blue-eyed penguins (unfortunately they do not come out until 945pm) suffice to say we didn't catch any live ones (or dead ones?).  It was incredibly beautiful and looked like what I’d picture Scotland or Ireland to look like.  It was funny because the group was in awe, however, the kiwi’s consider the area we’re in to be the ugly part of NZ.  After bird watching we went to the aquarium which was awful.  We could build a better one in our backyard.  I was thrilled the aquarium was such a bust because it gave me something to make fun of tim for as it was his suggestion.  {Trevor comment - here's something Tim can use to make fun of me}

After the aquarium we went to the larnarch castle.  It was expensive to get in $20, but I felt guilty about not seeing the sugar plantation in Jamaica (my mother's one suggestion during our family trip this past winter that i shot down) so I made everyone do it.  The castle was awesome as is the story behind it.  Wikipedia it to get the full info.  The gardens are unreal and I was very happy we did it.  After the castle we went to St. Claire beach (where shark and I went the night before to see the sunrise).  Very cool part of town, its where all the surfers hang out and has a really neat feel.  We stopped in an outdoor pub and had one pint before returning home.  

- Rick