F
ollowing 22 hours in the air,
I catch my first glimpse of
New Zealand through the
windshield of a low-slung
vintage Jaguar. My luxe
airport transfer seems a fitting
introduction to a land of lush
vineyards and stylish Kiwis.
I sink into my leather seat, gazing at
grapevines as we ascend up Signal Hill.
A drive through Dunedin reveals
selfie-snapping tourists on Baldwin,
the world’s steepest street with its
19-degree incline, and surfers chasing
morning breaks at St. Clair Beach.
My impromptu tour finishes in the
evolving Warehouse Precinct. At Vogel
St. Kitchen, I’m greeted by strong
coffee and homestyle pizza—the perfect
fuel to stave off jet lag.
All in all, it’s not a bad start Down
Under.
I begin my next day on the Otago
Peninsula with a visit to stately
Larnach Castle and Gardens. The
1870s Gothic Revival home offers a
peek into the life of former owner,
William Larnach, a wealthy politician
and land speculator. From the serene
surroundings of the castle, a winding
road leads to end of the peninsula and
the Royal Albatross Centre.
Strong winds reign supreme here,