Palmerston North - Castlepoint

In the student city of Palmerston North, I visited the Te Manawa Museum. I found the exhibit about our solar system particularly interesting, especially because it included games for children that illustrated the information.

Afterward, I was looking for a mailbox or post office, and in my desperation, I ended up in a parcel shop (even Google Maps wasn't helpful). Since the parcel shop wasn't a NZ Post location, the staff member couldn't accept my postcards, but she could still tell me where to find a mailbox. When I responded that I was just passing through, she replied very seriously: 'That's the best you can do. Leave Palmy as soon as possible!'

On the way back from the mailbox to my car, I discovered 'The City Library Makerspace.' This is part of the city library, but you don't borrow books there; instead, you gain knowledge about using laser cutters, sewing machines, 3D printers, saws, etc., and you can realize your projects there. You only have to pay for the material costs if you don't bring your own materials. Harley started this initiative based on a model from other cities and is very happy about how well this offer has been received.

My goal for the day was Castlepoint, a really beautiful, quite deserted place with a lighthouse and a small seal colony. A local told me that there is a cave in the rock beneath the lighthouse that is only accessible at low tide. However, since you have to pass by the seals to reach the cave, he advised against visiting it. The seals have pups at the moment and are therefore particularly aggressive. The photos of the cave he showed me looked very impressive.

The next morning, I realized that I wasn't the only one who had the idea to go to the lighthouse at sunrise. It was still incredibly beautiful, especially since I could share it with Markus during a video call. After breakfast and a walk around the lagoon, I packed my things and continued my journey.