Cycle Trip Quick Update
This is a quick update, will do proper posts when home. excuse the typo's racing the meter on a kiosk machine
After a day in Dunedin joined the group. There are 8 cyclists + the two guides on this trip. It's a special only advertised to previous Adventure South clients so all have done previous trips - most two or three, but one has done eight!
Day One(Sun 10): We headed out of Dunedin along the peninsular to the albatross colony. Perfect weather but a little cool when out of the sun & not riding. We saw Albatross - adult, juvenile and chicks. Some flying and even a feeding so had a great time. Apparently lucky to see all this as some see nothing. Then did a trip on Argo 8 wheel drive buggies - very cool - to see seal and penguin colonies. Accommodation and a gourmet dinner that night was at Larnoch Castle - really nice.
Day Two(Mon 11): Set off from the castle along the Dunedin coast till morning tea then a drive to just past Balclutha. Road the coast to heading into the Catlin's district. A bit of a drive then more cycling along empty roads with stunning coastal scenery. That night stayed in the Catlin's with a nice meal at the only place in town!
Day Three (Tue 12); A short coastal walk took us to a beach with 11 sea lions, able to get close enough for a really good look but not too close! The cycling was great and after lunch by gourmet chef guide Bas we rode into the afternoon. By this time the weather had started to get rough as a southwest front rolled in but we were off the bikes by that time. Curio Bay was swept with gale force winds and rain but it was off to Invercargill by bus for us by that stage. Dinner was stunning, 1/2 dozen Bluff Oysters and a huge rare fillet steak so tender it melted in the mouth. It was a rough night as the gale blew and cold (6 deg c)
Day Four (wed13): Bused from Invercargill to Riverton then rode most the way to c. The coast was rough as it was still windy but for us a side/tailwind so OK. From Tuatapere on the land is mostly flat and managed avg speeds of about 28km/h. A great ride but ran out of time to get all the way to Manapouri. After a late lunch there rode to Te Anau which is where we stay. Tomorrow is a short hike and then on the boat to Doubtful Sound for the night.
