Dunedin, New Zealand

After departing the New Zealand Sounds, we sailed past the southern tip of New Zealand and made our way north along the Eastern Coast to a small town called Dunedin. We pulled into port in the morning and we were greeted with few pierside festivities and a host of tour buses ready to take passengers on their appointed shore excursions. Our tour wasn't until the afternoon, so we made our way into town which was a 10-15 minute bus ride.

The town of Dunedin was very quaint. However, considering that the Christmas Holiday was still upon us, we came across very few people. Nevertheless, they were very kind, pleasant, and welcoming to see tourists from the ship. The morning was slightly overcast, but as the day went on the sun came out and had quite a showing which made for a beautiful day.

Our morning walk-about consisted of walking to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. For a small fee we toured the Factory with an employee dressed in their purple attire who proceeded to hand out chocolate candy - who's going to deny that treat!!! From there, we took a quick stroll around the Town Square, officially known as the Octagon, while we waited for the bus to take us back to the ship. We arrived onboard, had lunch, and later boarded our bus for our panoramic tour of Dunedin. It was a four-hour bus tour with frequent stops for site-seeing and photo opportunities. Ian did really well, he had a blast chasing a duck, picture provided below. One of the highlights of our Dunedin tour was walking up a portion of the world's steepest street, Baldwin Street.

People always say that first impressions make a difference; if Dunedin is any sign of things and future towns to come in our cruise through New Zealand, then we were in for a treat.

Port Chalmers, the Gateway to Dunedin.

The Cadbury Chocolate Factory silo.

Stern view of Rhapsody of the Seas.

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, oh, babbyyy!!!!

Anybody need a Cadbury lift???

"St Paul's Anglican Cathedral"

Seascape of the Dunedin coast.

A local fishing fleet.

A picturesque view of Dunedin Harbor.

Here I coommmeee!!! Hey, check me out, it looks like I'm walking on the moon!!!

Baldwin Street, the "World's Steepest Street"

Rachel and Ian walking up (in reverse) the "World's Steepest Street".

Juan chilling out with one of the feathered locals.

What a cutie I am!!! I should be modeling!!!
(Look who is in the background.)

Here ducky, ducky, ducky... I have a chocolate treat for you!!!

Who needs to wear seat belts when I can stand up and wear daddy's ball cap!

Dunedin Railway Station

A bitter sweet moment - a pilot boat following alongside Rhapsody of the Seas can only mean two things: one, farewell to Dunedin; two, Christchurch, here we come!!!