Dunedin, New Zealand - 13 January 2019 - 9am to 6pm

Arriving in the Otago Region of New Zealand, we are docked in Port Chalmers, a port with a small town.  There is a shuttle to Dunedin -- so after breakfast Phil and I are on it.   Dunedin is known as  "Edinburgh of the South" due to its Scottish heritage.   Lay members of The Free Church of Scotland arrived in two boats in 1848 paving the way for thousands of Scots to emigrate to Dunedin.   The Central Otago Gold Rush beginning in the 1860's made this city prosperous so by 1880 it was New Zealand's largest urban area. In 2014 Dunedin was designated as a UNESCO City of Literature.

Pat in front of St. Joseph's Cathedral - Dunedin, NZ

Our first stop is St. Joseph's Cathedral for the 10:00 am Mass.   The foundation stone of this gothic style cathedral was laid in 1879 with an opening of the unfinished Cathedral occurring in 1886 with the first bishop of Dunedin, Patrick Moran, presiding.  Seating capacity is about 350 in the most uncomfortable wooden bench seats complemented by wooden kneelers equally intolerable.   However -- there are beautiful stained glass windows, stone carvings and lovely ornamentations.

The climb to the Church is a challenge -- it appears to be the highest point in Dunedin with a view over the downtown to the sea and the mountains. 

Phil at the Craic Irish Tavern - Dunedin, NZ

After Mass we walk back to town -- and the shopping street, which, luckily, has awnings since we are having a rainstorm.  A stop at the Info Center and the Library are first before we head down George Street to see if we find anything that catches our eye.  At the end of our "empty-handed" shopping tour -- Phil spots  "The Craic Irish Tavern" and in we go.  He has a pint -- I have water. 

Phil in front of Dunedin Railway Staton

Well fortified -- we are off to the Railway Station in Dunedin -- "not to be missed" so we are told.  This is quite the building with its mosaic tile floors, stained glass windows and ceramic tiled walls and ticket booths.  The flower gardens in front of the station are beautiful -- and so lush -- must be all the rain.  

Pat on the Platform of the Dunedin Railway Station

The Dunedin Railway Station opened in 1906 as one of the busiest train stations in New Zealand handling up to 100 trains per day.    As passenger traffic declined over the years, the station was put to use in other ways.  In 1994 it was purchased by the City Council and is now home to the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.  A produce market is held just outside the station every Saturday, and a restaurant resides on the ground floor.   However Dunedin Railway still uses the station for its tourist trains thus retaining its original purpose.  

Part of the Railway Station Floor -- which is all mosaic tiles -- with various depictions of train cars

Heading back to the ship -- we encounter a group dressed in garb from the Victorian Era.  I asked why the outfits and they said they are part of "Steam Punk" or "Victorian with a Twist" -- both terms are unfamiliar to me but I am intrigued.  It is still raining but luckily everything is under awnings -- even the shuttle bus stop.   This is a city that knows how to deal with rain.  

Victorian with a Twist on the streets of Dunedin!

Back on board Quest, we have a presentation by a local group of high school students.   They are all dressed in traditional Maori costume and perform a Haka dance.  This is an ancient Maori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield as well as when groups assembled in peace.  Haka is a fierce display of a tribe's pride, strength and unity.    Actions include foot-stamping, tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping accompanied by loud chants.    There is audience participation  -- which is a lot of fun to watch as the boys teach the participants a dance, which is supposed to attract the opposite sex.  This was a most enjoyable presentation -- and I think the students loved performing for us.

Haka Dance Performed on Quest by Dunedin High School Students

Dinner tonight is with Colette and Marc in the Windows Cafe -- what a fiasco! I went about my business picking and choosing what I wanted to eat and being very happy.  However -- my three dinner companions diddled around ordering from the grill -- then complaining that it was taking too long -- which it was.  Finally they decided not to wait any longer so they headed to the Main Dining Room -- which meant Phil and Marc had to put on long pants -- which they did.

Pat and Colette with two of the High School Students in Dunedin, NZ

I did not want any part of this -- so I finished my meal, made my tea and went to the cabin to work on this blog.  Phil reported later that the Dining Room was not so great either.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat