Our Last Day Trip from Waitati

 

to the Kapiti Lighthouse where we walked out on the peninsula in blustery weather, watching seals

 

and pausing at this bush where we got our first up-close glimpse of a penguin.

 

As we took our trail back to the van

we saw several penguins taking their own trail up hill. 

All of us--slowly trudging somewhere. 

Then on to the Moeraki Boulders--not as big as the Elephant Rocks but wonderfully round and climbable.

Next to Fleur's Restaurant

 

for our Thanksgiving feast of delicious seafood

and where you can write on the wall.

Theo and David chatting with Fleur.

Then a mad chase to get to Oamaru in time to see the little blue penquins emerge from the sea at sunset, 200 of them in groups of about 50, and waddle up the rocky beach to their nests.

 

Some veered off the usual path so cautionary signs were posted.

 

Closest Simon got to a penquin.

 

David's close encounter with a Wanaka duck.

Close cousin encounter.