6.2.2018: Sylvi and the Chocolate Factory

After yesterday's day, I carefully studied my list again and made two cancellations, which somewhat relaxed the time pressure of the next few days. After Geraldine, where you can marvel at the world's largest wool sweater, we continue to Dunedin. With a distance of 300 km, one tends to press the accelerator pedal a bit more. I manage to avoid three police checks by flashing my headlights, so I quickly get used to doing the same. I hope no radar traps caught me unnoticed (because in New Zealand, they flash from behind).

In Dunedin, I urgently need a break and even though today is Waitangi Day, a national holiday, guided tours of the Cadbury Chocolate Factory are offered. During my first stay in New Zealand, I struggled with the idea of visiting it with Eric, and this thought came up again - there won't be another chance. Only problem: parking, because there are no parking facilities and the roadside is full (and also chargeable). To make it to the 2:00pm tour, I quickly type 'parking' into the navigation system and choose the nearest one. Luckily for me, it's one that is free on Sundays and public holidays. Hooray! I manage to jog the 700m just in time. The tour started a minute ago, but I can join in through a side door past the security personnel. Unfortunately, photos are not allowed. Cell phones and cameras must be stored in a locker under the watchful eyes of our guide.

First, we are explained the process from harvesting the cocoa beans to packaging the delicious treats. Then we are allowed to fill a small sampling cup with liquid dark, milk, and white chocolate from three different dispensers and decorate it with colorful sprinkles, popcorn, coconut flakes, chocolate shavings, and much more. The cup is quickly empty and I generously refill it. A mistake, because after another quarter cup, I feel sick. As a result, I no longer enjoy the chocolate scent that is present everywhere. Next, we watch a short informational film about the creation of Jaffas (orange-coated chocolate balls) before we witness live how long it takes for a ton of chocolate to be tipped from one container to another. The brown liquid mass falls thunderously into the lower collecting container in just a few seconds. And all this just for the amusement of the visitors - it has nothing to do with the actual production process, but at least the chocolate is "recycled". In between, we are constantly given new chocolate bars and sweets from Cadbury, so the admission price of €12 is more than worth it. The tour lasts about an hour, but unfortunately we are not allowed to enter the production facilities. The information given is also quite brief and general, so many questions are asked afterwards. After the tour, my chocolate-overfilled stomach prevents me from buying anything in the shop despite the low factory prices. On the leisurely way back to the car, I have to think, as is the case in many places, that my third visit to Dunedin will probably also be my last - a bitter aftertaste after the sweet last hour.

Despite the long distance I have already covered, I still have 110 km to go on the clock. Today, I want to stay overnight in Owaka, a 'larger' town in the Catlins where I haven't been before. A hostel is fully booked, and the backpacker lodge at Surat Bay, which I stayed at four years ago, can only offer me a room for over 100 NZD. So I end up at Thomas's Catlins Lodge, which used to be a hospital and is reminiscent of it with some of its furnishings. As I inspect the complex and settle into my room, we experience a nearly minute-by-minute change between sun, rain, and sun. I have to unload my things from the car twice and of course time it with the wet intervals.

It is already 6:00pm, most people are preparing for dinner, while I take a short walk to Teapotland just a few steps away. The proud owner has been collecting hundreds of tea pots of every imaginable shape, color, and size for years and displays them at the boundary of his property. After taking some photos and making a quick visit to the supermarket, I return to the hostel. I have scrubbed 410 km today - a new record that I don't want to break anytime soon. It was already extremely borderline.