We're heading south. Our time in Wanganui at the Quaker Settlement has ended and we're making or way down to Christchurch for our home stays. Right now we're in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Tomorrow we cross the Cook Strait to the south island.
On our way down the coast we stopped for a day at the nature preserve on Kapiti island. Before the arrival of humans there were no land mammals in New Zealand. When the Maori came to New Zealand they brought rats and dogs. When Europeans came they borough ferrets, possums, and other predators. The effects on native species has been disastrous. Most species here evolved without any natural predators which makes them very friendly, but also easy targets. One of the solutions that the New Zealand Department of Conservation has found is to take a remote location, kill all the invasive mammals, and then keep it as a sanctuary. We saw a number of highly endangered bird species including Takahe, a flightless bird endemic to New Zealand of which there are fewer than 300 left in the world. We also went for a night time Kiwi spotting walk. On the subject of fearless animals, some are even aggressive. A Kaka (a type of parrot) landed on my shoulder while I was trying to eat a sandwich and actually tried to reach into my mouth while I was chewing to get my food.
Sadly when we move to the south island we must leave our beloved rented vans behind. Beloved is probably not the word, it's hard not to feel touristy while driving around in a white and teal van that says "Piggy Packer Rentals" in big letters on the side. Still, they've served us well thus far. Ok, time for reading, can't avoid studying forever.
Things I have been enjoying:
-Seeing the Southern Cross at night
-Being near/in/around the ocean
-Traveling and not having a fixed "home" for a few days
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3 comments:
wow.
MUSH! You're program sounds pretty damn awesome! When we get back, you'll have to tell me all about the Maori and what living next to them was like!! Probably an unforgetable experience! And, in reference to your comment, I probably won't climb Mt. Olympus cause its expensive, but I've done some hiking already. On a mountain! In your memory!! :-)
THAT BIRD IS BOLD.
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