Day 60 (14th October 2015)

Arriving at Port Chalmers early morning hours – taken from our ship’s balcony.

Boarding our Taieri Gorge tourist train at Port Chalmers.

Passing through Dunedin taken from our Taieri Gorge tourist train.

Crossing over the Wingatui Viaduct taken from our Taieri Gorge tourist train.

Our Taieri Gorge tourist train locomotives near Parera.

Our rail stop at Hindon – location of many local tourist stores.

Following the Taieri River near Deep Stream - taken from our Taieri Gorge tourist train.

One of many viaducts along the Taieri Gorge tourist rail journey.

The Taieri River through The Notches - taken from our Taieri Gorge tourist train.

Anne at our Pukerangi terminus – after buying some local products.

Crossing the Wingatui Viaduct - - taken from our Taieri Gorge tourist train.

View of High Street – taken near the Dunedin Railway Station.

Delicate artwork in the lady’s drawing room, Larnach Castle, Dunedin.

View of Otago Harbour taken from the Larnach Tower, Dunedin.

Front view of Larnach Castle, Dunedin.

Anne inside the Larnach gazebo, Dunedin.

View of Dunedin taken from Larnach Castle.

Dunedin Railway Station.

Dunedin taken from a park at the Upper Belt.

Sailing past an Otago Harbour fishing village on our departure from Dunedin.

The end of Otago Harbour and Peninsula – entering the South Pacific.

There are strange noises coming from the ceiling area inside our stateroom. We reported this annoying sound at 4 am this morning. It has been occurring over the past couple of days and definitely the movement of panels during the ship’s natural roll. Our Taieri Gorge rail tour commenced at 8:30 am with the long train waiting for us in front of our ship. It was just a short walk across the pier. The train stopped at Dunedin about 10 klms away and took three hours to reach Pukerangi passing over many viaducts which appear in many tourist brochures of the South Island. They gave us free beers and lunch on board. The views were magnificent and we were glad we didn’t miss this experience. The train returned to Dunedin and we transferred to a coach which took us to Larnach Castle. Owned by a William Larnach in the late 19^th century. The location is on a mountain overlooking the Otago Harbour and Dunedin. An awesome structure and a sad tale was told regarding the Larnach family by professional guides. From Larnach Castle we returned again to Dunedin and given a city tour. Dunedin is a beautiful city located within a mountainous region and would be a great place to live albeit the cold winters. The Golden Princess left Port Chalmers at 6 pm and headed south to round the strait between the South and Stewart Islands. Tomorrow we travel north and cruise within five fjords, including Milford Sound. Hopeful the weather will give us great photo shots as it did today. Cheers.