Fortunate to arrive in the historic town of Dunedin on their annual fete day, we were met with live music, market stalls and revellers galore. The sun was out so we mooched around enjoying the atmosphere, before heading to tourist information to find out if there was anything special we should see. As well as fete day, it just so happened to be Valentine’s Day, and whilst Dave would be happy to ignore the fact, I was keen to celebrate it NZ style, whatever that entailed. The helpful staff at the info site told us about the Otago Museum’s Valentine’s event, which would involve Champagne, roses, live music, stargazing and salsa lessons. We reserved the last two places and changed into our smartest backpacking gear (I even used an iron for the first time in 18 months).

We were greeted at the museum, a smaller version of the Natural History Museum in London, with balloons, Champagne and a live pianist, and were given a form for entry into the ‘hopeless romantic’ competition. To be in with a chance to win the award, we had to write about the most romantic thing we’d ever done. When our stories were complete, one of the museum guides took us on a tour of the some of the museum’s ‘love themed’ exhibits, which included stories about Maoris, Egyptians and albatrosses (apparently, the latter mate for life, I’m not sure about the former two). Another glass of bubbly later and we were led into the ‘Star Lab’, a dark tent like an igloo in which our galaxy could be projected onto the ceiling. The planetarium guide give us a light-hearted look at some of the constellations, including Orion, Scorpio and the Southern Cross, and told us to look out for them for real, later that evening.

We ended the night Brazilian-style with a lesson in Salsa dancing from a real life Latino hunk. To start, the men followed his steps whilst we ladies followed his strutting female partner, and once we’d all mastered the basic steps we were invited to dance with out partners. Thank you DaveB, I enjoyed our dance very much and you only stepped on my toes once. We’ll have to go and practice at one of the popular clubs in Sydney when we get there, I know how much you’d love that.

It was nearly time to leave, there was only one thing to be settled. Who was the most romantic person in the room? Well, I can tell you I haven’t heard the last of it after Dave was given the title and presented with a hamper of chocolate, for his story about Claude the Balloon Man (I’m sure some of you know how it goes… for those that don’t it involves tears, doorbells, bushes and a life-sized man made of balloons).

What a unique and lovely way to spend an evening.

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