5. Otago Peninsula
In terms of natural scenery, I came with the impression that the Otago
peninsula would shine as the destination to see on the south coast. I
had imagined a long remote peninsula of rugged coast and steep hills.
That was partly right, but it wasn't quite what I expected.
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| The Cove, Portobello Rd |
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| Otago Peninsula |
I was quite fortunate to get out on a fine, clear, still
morning. Under those conditions, the harbour becomes mirror-like, and
the soft cloud on the hills completed the ethereal ambiance. It felt
like another world, and each cove along the coast was the same, yet
different.
Portobello
The main township along the peninsula road is Portobello. The area
still feels urban, rather than remote, but really had a peaceful charm
to it.
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| Otago Peninsula |
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| Portobello |
A road leads out from Portobello to an aquarium and university
research centre. It's open range with sheep sharing the road and gave
beautiful set of views on that peaceful morning. With wind and cloud
it wouldn't be much to see, but it turned on just the right conditions
for me.
So there I was wondering how I could capture the experience
on a CCD sensor. I tried... one lens... then another... with
and without polariser... finding stray sheep for foreground interest.
It was always clamouring for a wider angle, because there was always
more just outside the viewfinder. It's an experience to be immersed
in.
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| Latham Bay, Portobello |
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| Portobello |
At the end of the peninsula there's an albatross colony, but I didn't
investigate it after having spent the time along the waterfront. On
the way back I took the inland road back along the ridge of hills.
It's also a spectacular winding road.
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| Portobello Hills |