Baldwin Street, Sea Lions, and Glowworms

My final full day in Dunedin began with the familiar morning routine, followed by a ride into town to pick up my rental car. With wheels in hand, I headed to "ICONIC" for lunch. I indulged in delicious gluten-free ground lamb nachos and a bowl latte. The staff was surprised I ordered this, but I explained it was a typical large back in North America.

Next stop: Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world! I parked at the bottom and hiked to the top, a fun and challenging experience. On the street, I discovered a charming geology shop run by a wonderful couple. They collect shells and explore geological sites around the South Island. We had a great conversation, and they invited me to join them on a future field trip – a tempting offer for my next visit!

On my drive to Aramoana Beach, I made a delightful detour to Port Chalmers. I stopped to pick up a small souvenir, a memento of my time in this charming town. Then, I decided to explore a bit further.

Behind the oldest building in Port Chalmers, the church, I hiked up to a lookout point. The view was simply amazing. From this vantage point, I could see the historical changes that had shaped the area, a visual timeline of the town's evolution.

Adding to the charm of the lookout was a repurposed mine area. The local Lions Club had transformed it into a beautiful garden, a testament to community spirit and creative reuse. It was a lovely, unexpected discovery, blending history with a touch of nature.

I then continued on to Aramoana Beach, a part of Dunedin I hadn't yet explored. The drive along the winding road was scenic, and the beach itself was incredible – I've never seen so many shells in my life! The coastline was stunning, with hills and rock formations adding to its beauty.

About 15 minutes into my walk, I spotted two lumps on the beach. As I got closer, I realized they were sea lions! I kept a respectful distance and snapped photos as they flicked sand onto themselves. A few minutes later, I heard a splash and saw another sea lion emerging from the water right before my eyes. I continued walking, collecting sea glass and unique rocks, and even found a perfect seashell. All three sea lions were still lounging on the beach when I returned to my car, soaking up the sun. It was an amazing encounter.

Back at the B&B, Beatrice had prepared a completely gluten-free dinner. Everything, except the chicken, came from her property. We enjoyed fresh sushi, a garden salad, roasted vegetables, and baked chicken. For dessert, she served cherry tomatoes marinated in plum powder, a unique and delicious treat I'm eager to recreate at home.

After dinner, I walked about two kilometers down the road to Nichols Falls to see the glowworms. Even on my host's driveway, I noticed glowworms along the stream! The falls were magical, with countless glowworms twinkling like stars in the foliage and rock crevices. It was the perfect ending to my final night in Dunedin.