The Air New Zealand flight left on time at 11 am. Nothing to see on the way except cloud and ocean. We arrived just after 2 pm local time. The bio-detection dog earned his keep, tagging a suitcase that was promptly hauled off with its owner, never to be seen again. Arrivals was quite efficient. Five mi I-buses were lined up and we were assigned to the one that would deliver us to our resort. By 3 pm I was being settled into my delightful apartment by a very friendly hostess. (Already I was wishing I had booked in for the full week instead of 4 days! )
First task was to drive back to Burnt Pine township to sign up the car rental -- a cute little VW, rego NI 4182. One of the oddities here: the ignition key hangs on a piece of wire from the steering column and is left in the car at all times. A separate key will lock the car, but apparently no one bothers much. I managed to get lost on the way back to Coast - temporarily - and had my first near miss with an animal when a skittish calf decided to gallop across he road without warning.
I have booked a couple of tours, and got myself a museum pass that admits to all 5 museums on the island. So I am set to get exploring tomorrow. It has turned rainy tonight, so a quiet night in is planned after I have dinner at the local Leagues Club.
A few snaps setting the scene can be found
here.
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