The Moeraki Boulders are big round concretions that have ended up on this beach due to erosion of the nearby bluffs.

If you search, you’ll find any number of dramatic, otherworldly shots of them. In person, it was less impressive. I mean, they are unusually round, for big rocks. Otherwise, well, golly, it’s another NZ beach. But on a long stretch of highway with little else to see, the locals have managed to turn this curiosity into a must-see.

Inspired by a pétanque friend, I was determined to get one of “those” photos. You know, like holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or holding the full moon between your fingers. Perspective, baby!!

It was drizzly, and my photographer wasn’t quite as enamored of the idea as I was. But she soldiered through and the final result turned out great!

There’s a practice shot so you see the scale. The actual boulder was about as tall as a person.

We had an ok if overpriced lunch at the nearby cafeteria. On to Dunedin!