Crikey...talk about windy today. Branches came crashing down, leaves falling as if Autumn had arrived, a distinctive windchill in that wind and we even had a tree down on the overnight stay at Moana Roa reserve. When the sun did appear and we were sheltered it was positively hot! Shorts or no shorts, that was the question!
It was to be the Kiwi experience today at Otorohanga Kiwi House but before that, it was the matter of touring the third cave, Ruakuri. A 90-minute tour which both Ian and I agree was by far the better of the three caves at Waitomo. We even got to walk right next to the glowworms to which the guide shone her torch on the maggot-like larva showing the sticky threads ready to catch the unaware. To read about the glowworm cycle
click here
 |
| The only way into the cave, walk the spiral walkway. |
 |
| The glowworms |
Then it was off to the Kiwis at Orongohangi. Of course, it was very dark in the Kiwi enclosure, the only light came from a strip light to simulate moonlight, took a while for our eyes to adjust, I can tell you, and twice I walked smack bang into someone! We were lucky that we arrived when we did as the staff were ready to feed the pair and we got a decent look at both the male (smaller) and the female.
Not just the Kiwis to see but other birds too.
 |
| Have never seen a white Oystercatcher before. Bottom right is a Spurwing Plover |
 |
| Red-crowned Parakeet |
 |
| Green Gecko, Kingfisher and New Zealand Bellbird |
So tomorrow we are off to do the Blue Springs and then onto Rotorua. On route, Ian found this free campsite at Moana Roa Reserve, Lake Karapiro. The first thing we noticed as we drove in was the fallen tree. A bit doubtful about parking under the trees but they did look healthy enough and we hoped the wind would die down. Next to us was a small campervan. Dinner was being prepared by one of the chaps when suddenly a loud crack and a large branch nearly landed on the chaps head! That did it for us (and them). We were going to move and move we did just to the opposite side away from those trees.
 |
| Would have been a great outlook if we had stayed |
 |
| Where we moved from |
 |
| The small campervan came next to us. |
And was surprised to see this Hare. Didn't think they had any in New Zealand.
7 comments:
Glad you went to the Kiwi House! Did you see the display with the kiwi egg? How she gets that egg out when it is pretty much the size of her body, I have no idea and don't want to know - it must be excruciating!
The Blue Lake Holiday Park in Rotorua (or just outside it) is a lovely place to stay - there is a lovely walk around the lake which you would enjoy. And the Buried Village is not far away.
Mxxoo
Hares, rabbits, hedgehogs, wasps, white butterflies, deer, feral pigs..... Thank you England
Hi Marilyn, one of the staff at the Kiwi house mentioned it would be like us giving birth to a 5-year-old!! We did the Buried Village last time we were in Rotorua so will give that a miss. Xx
Hi Tom, your right, we do have a lot to answer for but so do the Aussies introducing the Possums.
Don't forget the English gifts of stoats and ferrets!
Pleased you are enjoying the caves. It's been unusually windy everywhere, it seems to be following us around.
Remember that the only good possum is a dead possum, so when you see them if driving at night, run the little bastards over!
For a bit of light entertainment, look on youtube for the Smokefree Rally possums ad...
Lake Tarawera helicopter flight perhaps as an additional adventure? And I know you love waterfalls so how about Okere Falls?
And Tom, doesn't forget the ubiquitous gorse! And the thistles, bracken, lupins - all of which are the bane of farmers' lives. And the wilding pines, dammit!
Cheers (I think), Mxx
I forgot the Magpies!
Post a Comment