New Zealand's Mount Cook Village & Oamaru: Penguins (Sort of) & Colonial Buildings

[Jessica de Heij]

Before I left Mt. Cook, I took one last look at the amazing view. Staying longer was no option, because there was so much more to see in the South. Early in the morning, when my car windows were still frozen, I decided to drive more south, towards Oamaru.

I drove along a few beautiful lakes that New Zealand has to offer: Lake Aviemore, Lake Benmore and Lake Waitiki.

Around noon I arrived in Oamaru. Best described as a sweet little town. I rang the doorbell at the hostel, that was situated just off the main street.

A woman in nightgown opened the door: "Love, come on in! It's a bit of a mess (you might say that!) but I decided last minute to go to London, to see the Olympics and my son, who lives in London". She decided to close the hostel for 2 weeks. "Oh, and you have to take this".

She gave me a list of all the backpackers that made reservations in this hostel but were going to the Empire Hotel Backpackers. Before she sent me off for my mission, she gave me some tips about what I should definitely should see here in Oamaru:" You have to go to the penguins tonight, just after sundown, just follow the smell, oh and don't forget to go the farmers market, oh and you have to see this and that....." A lovely women but a minor case of ADHD.

I drove with my list to the Empire Hotel Backpackers, where I also was staying. It took me quit a while to find the hostel. You wouldn't think it would be so hard because it was on the main street. When I arrived, I was one of the few in the hostel, but that didn't matter. It was a beautiful old hostel (from 1867) with a lot of history and I enjoyed the little town and the nice weather. At night, I went to look for some penguins. I smelled the smell, but no penguins....