Day trip to Dunedin (Pronounced: Done Eden (by some))
Had a good breakfast with Allan and Keri and had an interesting conversation about “Obamacare”, my favorite subject. Usual fare, toast, bacon, yogurt, and Allan’s special, French toast with real maple syrup! Very nice!
Seems most people, both in and outside the US, have a general misunderstanding about Obamacare. Most think the US didn’t have any type of care provided to the poor or those who can’t afford a massive hospital charge until Obamacare. They don’t realize that the US has county hospitals throughout the country that provided the poor with care, and has for years, or that no hospital can refuse to stabilize (treat) a patient because of their inability to pay the bill.
They also think this wonderful concoction provides equal care for all with equality in prices as well. Nothing could be further from the truth.
No more! I’m not going to get drawn into yet another discussion on how this is just a poorly developed, poorly managed and expensive government exercise, just like Amtrac and the Postal Service. Done!
The trip to Dunedin takes about 1hr, passing the beach where the Chinese are still taking pictures of the Moeraki boulders. The road winds along the coast and climbs over some pretty steep grades to drop into Dunedin. There is a museum and train station there that we heard were pretty nice so, got to see them.
The train station is quite elaborate with a large garden area outside that was really beautiful. It would have been nicer if there weren’t banners and cars advertising BMW everywhere but hey, make your money the best way you can. Inside the building is adorned with stained glass and colorful tile mosaics on almost every floor.
Designed by George Troup and opened in 1906, this station used to be the busiest train depot in New Zealand with about100 trains per day. Today, the station is used more for an occasional wedding venue, or while we were there a fashion show stage, with a restaurant on the first floor and a sports museum located upstairs. Cool architecture and fun to check out.
Next stop was the Otago Museum (history museum). Somehow, we thought you had to pay for everything in life so without asking, we went up to the counter and dropped a few dollars to see “the exhibit”. Turns out “the exhibit” is “Discovery World Tropical Forest” or more commonly called, a butterfly conservatory.
I’m all for museums, love to see things from the past and even new things, animals, rocks, carvings, machines, etc. But butterflies????? Oh well, we paid so we’re going in!
Got to admit, some of these are pretty cool looking. Still, they’re butterflies, not high on the “must see” list!
Once through this exhibit, we went back to the counter to see where the natural history area was located. Of course, it’s across the hall and there is no admission charge, it’s free! Only cost is to see the butterflies!
Spent the rest of our afternoon walking through the “free” portion of the museum then headed back to our comfy abode in Oamaru. Tonight Allan and Keri are joining us for a glass of wine and a chance for us to hear more about the area and NZ.
Good day, and fun. We did a couple of things we’ve never done before and had a pretty good day. Checking butterflies off my bucket list!