Day 82: The Incredible Catlin Coast Continued

Nugget Point turned out to make it on my list of most favourite places in New Zealand. There was something so beautiful about the lighthouse, the cliffs, the roar of the waves of the ocean crashing up against the surrounding rocks and the distant sounds of the seals calling out.

After tumbling rather painfully to the muddy ground when I only had about three feet of hillside to descend after doing some off trail exploring (pictured above). The fall just made for a good story and startled a kind couple (thankfully they were the only other people around in that moment). 

We then waited a half hour to see these two Yellow-eyed Penguins waddle up on shore.

These little creatures are easily scared off. We stood waiting in the shelter huts built to keep us "hidden" and well away from the shore where the penguins return to after a long day of fishing. The two hour wait after seeing these two and one other in hope of seeing more penguins was not quite worth it due to all the wind and number of other people crowding around to see out the limited windows. 

We abandoned post and headed back out on the road to try to find a place to sleep the night. And so began the adventure of being offered clean sheets, proper toilets and a warm house to enjoy by a kind local passing by our vehicle as we had stopped to photograph some deer. We were treated to the wonderful hospitality of a local family living in Balclutha for the weekend.