Dec. 22-23/15: Dunedin (Port Chalmers, art gallery)

My time in Dunedin is all but over. Yesterday (the 22nd) I spent most of the day either in cafes or at the Otago museum. The museum has some wonderful galleries dealing with Maori history and culture, with the area's  geological development   (and why the risk of volcanoes and earthquakes is so high), and with the birds and mammals found in this part of New Zealand. Here are two images I particularly liked:

Maori carving from 1870s

Skeleton of a Moa, huge flightless bird 

hunted to extinction (in 1400s) by Maori

This morning I took a local bus to Port Chalmers, about a 25 minute ride. Port Chalmers has a population of just 3,000 and was founded in 1844, a few years prior to settlement in Dunedin. It acts as the port for the city as it is closer to the mouth of the Otago  Harbour. There are several short, pleasant  walks around the town and up to a look off where there is an outstanding view of the town and harbour.

Town sign, painted on the side of a building

View of Port Chalmers from lookoff

Back in town I spent my last afternoon in the Art Gallery, which is located on the Octagon, Dunedin’s city centre. Some of the city's fine old buildings also surround the Octagon, as do a number of pubs and restaurants. So it is always lively.

Inside Art Gallery, looking out at the Octagon

Painting by local artist, Jeffrey Harris 

Robby Burns statue, gallery  just to left