My next stay was in Dunedin.   This town is know for its Scottish background; Dunedin is Gallic for Edinburgh.   I came to Dunedin specifically because its home to the only mainland breeding colony of Albatross in the world.   Instead of taking the tour of the Albatross Center, I opted for a boat ride.     Sometimes I think I’m too cheap, but at the time, I just couldn’t see spending $100 to look at some birds behind a glass enclosed viewing platform.   I’m not opposed to spending money, I just want to get my money’s worth.   The boat trip was great, we saw plenty of albatross, some flying pretty close to the boat, and some sitting on the water.   The problem was, it was too choppy to get the great pictures I was hoping for.   In retrospect, I think I would have enjoyed the tour at the center because you can see the adults feeding their chicks, but I also am pretty sure I would have been disappointed because there is a glass wall betwe...

After Picton I headed west toward Moteuka and Able Tasman National Park - described as “…inviting sandy beaches fill the spaces between trees and tide line. Crystal clear streams tumble down mossy valleys to join the ocean. Granite and marble formations fringe the headlands, which are cloaked in regenerating native forest”.   I found a nice Airbnb; this one was a tiny studio apartment in back of a residential house.   When I choose an Airbnb, the one requirement is that I have my own private space.   You have the option of basically renting a room in someone’s house and sharing with them, but that’s just not for me, even if it is cheaper.   This one was just as advertised; nice place, nice location, nice host etc.   As I was settling in the room I noticed a plain, large mirror.   It was bolted to the wall so that you couldn’t move it or see behind it.   For some reason, to me it screamed the potential to be a two-way mirror.   Mind you, I di...