A Final Farewell and a Promise to Return

My final half-day in Dunedin was a bittersweet one. I'd initially thought I had an early departure, but the rental car company kindly allowed me to keep my car for a few extra hours, saving me a long wait at the airport.

Since I hadn't found any pounamu (New Zealand jade) on my own (I was on the wrong coast for that), I decided to purchase a piece at a local artist's shop. There's a Maori custom that pounamu should be gifted, not bought. So, I followed the tradition by having an acquaintance "buy" it for me with my money and then gift it to me. It might seem silly to some, but I wanted to respect the local customs.

I also made sure to visit some of the people I'd met around town, especially those who'd heard about my tattoo. I proudly showed off Crazy Horse's incredible artwork, praising his talent. I even stopped by his shop to say a final goodbye and thank him for the beautiful piece I'll cherish forever. I'm already planning my return to get another tattoo from him and explore more of the South Island. I only scratched the surface of Dunedin's beauty and charm.

This trip was a spur-of-the-moment adventure. My original plan was to spend my birthday in Adelaide, Australia, but my Australian ETA didn't come through in time. So, I scrambled to find a destination where my pre-booked flights would take me. A quick Google search for "best place to see penguins on the South Island of New Zealand" led me to Dunedin. I told the travel agent, "Get me to Dunedin for at least six nights, with the least amount of extra charges." And that's how this amazing trip came to be.

In Dunedin, I experienced so much: glowworms, two types of penguins, sea lions, albatrosses, and countless seagulls. I met wonderful people and had fascinating conversations. I even conducted my little social experiment of smiling at strangers. My grandfather always said, "Smile, it confuses people." In North America, I often get strange reactions, especially in Halifax, where people seem wary of smiles. But in Dunedin, over half the people I smiled at returned the gesture with a "hello."

I also continued my habit of picking up litter, something that often draws odd looks in North America. But in Dunedin, I received genuine thanks from strangers. It was refreshing.

I already miss Dunedin dearly and can't wait to return. Thank you, New Zealand, for your beauty, your kindness, and your welcoming spirit. I'll be back soon!