I slept very well in my suite. The bedroom was very dark . LOVE that. I would happily stay here again , as long as I can stay on the top floor again. All the staff have been very nice. I have my own deck but it was a bit chilly and wet last night to use it. It is nice having an open window tonight. I couldn’t do that in the apartment in Queenstown as it was so close to the road ( and there was so much traffic) that it was not really on before 1 am.

Today, I went to the Dunedin public art gallery, they have a beautiful collection of art. Predominantly from countries in the Commonwealth. The New Zealand art was a standout and I may drop back in tomorrow on my way out just to see it again. I had a chat to the gift shop lady about where I should go. She suggested the Otago Settlers Museum down by the harbour, I am glad I took her advice , it was really quite spectacular. It was a wonderful collection and told an interesting story about the early years of New Zealand .

If you don’t want read a paragraph of me ranting please scroll on down to the picture of the cute dog.

Sadly, there were a few people wandering around that have no museum/art gallery etiquette , talking very loudly and whistling . There should be a one warning policy and then once they continue , taken away to a loud room , with the sound of their own voices turned up to full and if that doesn’t teach them anything , just be shot. It really shits me and makes me appreciate my upbringing .

I went off looking for the Otago museum , but got lost ,had a kebab and ended up at the Speight’s ale house beer tour instead. Whilst not as cultural it was an interesting 90 mins nonetheless . You can free pour beer in the last half hour. That’s always fun.

Then it was off back to my nice suite at Scenic Hotel ! It is minutes walk from the ale house and the heart of the city. My niece and nephew have conflicting reviews of Gone girl so I wanted to see it to see why it gets so much talk. It was only 10 nzd.  They pronounce Readings Cinema as Reddings Cinema.

The popcorn selling boy ripped me off, I think I unwittingly , well I hope unwittingly. So swings and roundabouts on the cheap ticket. It was a lot longer than my attention span copes with but mostly I liked it. I was a little disappointed in the end, but it was so disappointing maybe that was the aim of the author. Getting a very quick glimpse at Ben’s schlong wasn’t disappointing though.

I went back to my room and packed and reminisced about the good points to travelling with no luggage albeit for 2 days.

I have really liked Dunedin, the tours and the food of Queenstown were great.  I do like an art gallery though and Dunedin’s one is marvelous.

Today is Monday

Today, I drove to Christchurch, it seemed to take forever. I stopped off at the Moeraki boulders, they are pretty amazing, I like to believe the Maori legend that they are the remains of calabashes, kumaras and eel baskets that washed ashore after the legendary canoe, the Araiteuru was wrecked at nearby Shag Point (Matakaea).

I took the scenic route in fear of missing a jaw dropping view but it was cloudy so I think all the wow in the scenic route may have been hidden. It was uneventful and that is always good. Originally, I was going to spend one night in Dunedin and then one night in Timaru -OMG thank god I didn’t .

I got to Christchurch and Google maps directed me to my accommodation, The George, check in was easy and then it was off to find a bottle shop. Driving in Christchurch is not for the feint hearted but shopping at pack n save made it all worth it. The prices are great !

I had a delicious dinner at the less formal restaurant in the hotel. As the waitress was welcoming me and telling me the usual things an Asian descent businessman came and interrupted and wanted it to be all about him and his 8 friends, I let him ask one or two questions, but then I went a bit Broni on his a$$’he stopped momentarily and then continued being the rude person that he is , so I reinforced  the Broni code  and the waitress giggled and thanked me as he walked off .

Ps. once again they do they weird thing of a quilt in the middle of sheets at The George as well. It seems there is no getting away from it.

😦 maybe I should have a conference / paid web blog on putting a doona cover on in 30 seconds or less.