Cadbury World

Published March 13, 2017

Oompa Loompa doompadee doo

I’ve got another puzzle for you

Oompa Loompa doompadah dee

If you are wise you’ll listen to me

Never got to meet Willy Wonka – but I did get my ‘Augustus Gloop’ on at Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory.

Early morning start. 9 mile trek on Frankton Track, mix of trail & bike path, east alongside Lake Wakatipu. Shower, apartment check-out, last day in Queenstown – goodbyes to my fave New Zealand town. 3 ½ hour drive, south & far far east today. After a half-week shouldering NZ’s Tasman Sea, would spend the next three days bumped up against the vast Pacific.

Arrived in South Island’s 2^nd largest city, Dunedin, early afternoon. First hotel stay since Auckland. Grabbed a map & a rain jacket – CHOCOLATE! Walked past high steeple churches & historic city buildings in Dunedin Central ‘the Octagon’, then continued south toward the water, past Anzac Square to Cadbury World on Cumberland Street.

2 large lumbering storage tanks invade the landscape – one white, one purple, ‘Cadbury’ emblazoned in script. Tour ticket purchased, quick pass thru the factory museum, iconic Cadbury bunny photo shot. Sadly no other pics to share. Cell phones, purses, backpacks all confiscated before eyeing the company’s chocolate making process. No joking with Chocolatiers – take their business mighty seriously.

[Gotta/hafta/must sneak out an everlasting gobstopper (remember creepy Slugworth?) — another Wonka reference 🙂 ]

Inside, pulled a lever, filled my cup with liquid chocolate. How much is too much? Anything more than half a cup…live & learn. Heart racing, sugar-shook remainder of the tour. Oh to be a kid again. Went home with a satchel of marshmallow candy bars.

Return walked thru Dunedin’s historic Railway Station in Anzac Square. Train love.

Inclement weather, one more day. Boardwalk strolled on St Clair Beach, site of the South Island Surf Championships. Stormy day, HUGE waves. Rain or shine – vacation continues. Tomorrow’s quest? To the top of Larnachs Castle!