Woke up to the alarm exhausted (I almost always wake up a few minutes before the alarm goes off). After getting out of bed I made another discovery - something had been eating me last night! I've got bites all over and they itch like crazy. Then I noticed a couple of last night's bugs on the bed - only bigger - sure enough when I killed them they were full of my blood. After all the dodgey places I've stayed it's strange that my first experience with bed bugs is in New Zealand!
After checking out I waited for my shuttle - when it was ten minutes late I panicked and checked with the reception. They'd made my reservation for fifteen minutes later than they'd told me (and written on my ticket). I don't think I'll be staying at this place when I come back to CH²!
The train ride was nice. Lots of stereotypical New Zealand - rolling green fields dotted with black and white sheep. Also a good bit of it was along the coast. In Dunedin I got hold of the most recommended hostel (agreed by all three guides I have) - all they had left was a double room, but they gave me a discount and I was willing to splurge after last night's nightmare (the bites are really starting to drive me crazy). The room is fantastic - wood floor, antique furniture, a nice double bed with comforter, and live plants - more like what I would expect from a nice B&B than a backpackers!
After arranging a bus to Te Anau for Sunday morning and trying to arrange to rent a kayak tomorrow (just got a message) I headed out on foot. I wandered around Dunedin. It's supposed to feel like Edinburgh, but I really didn't get that. There are some gothic cathedrals and churches, and a few older buildings, but nothing like what I expected. It's also very quiet - and it's very pleasant. Stopped in and sent some email that I wrote on the train. Ended up seeing a movie - "Savage Honeymoon"e; - very funny. While walking back to the hostel I stopping in a little Italian restaurant - it was very nice, warm and authentic and the food was great - and cheap. Restaurants in New Zealand really are very reasonable - even nice ones.
