Native flora and fauna....

We were given a most useful and interesting Christmas present.....a family entry ticket to Zealandia.....a very special nature sanctuary right in the centre of Wellington..... there are only a few creatures kept in cages.....just these few Green Gekos, and a small clutch of baby tuataras to prevent them being eaten by the bigger ones.....instead, there is a very special predator perimeter fence to keep out the unwanted.....primarily rats, cats and stoats.....while inside all manner of native birds, insects, and animals roam totally free. There are even kiwis roaming free, but as these are nocturnal birds, you need to go on a special night time excursion, so alas, we missed out on seeing these little treasures running live. But we saw plenty of other native creatures.....

The Wellington Green Gecko which only lives in the southern half of the North Island, and is distinguished from the Auckland Green Gecko by it's yellow soled feet.....

Wellington Green Geko

Tuatara reptiles......known as living fossils.....they can live over 100 years.....they were around with the dinosaurs.....they haven't changed in 225 million years......and they are only found in NZ....can you see the little fellow there....camouflaged right in the middle of the picture?

Baby Tuatara

They are mostly nocturnal reptiles, and cold blooded, but they sometimes like to bask in the sun to warm up.....just like this one here......

Medium Tuatara

The Kaka.....one of NZ's three native parrots.....lives in native forests......

NZ Kaka

And the Tui.....a native bird belonging to the honeyeater family....they feed mainly on nectar from native flowers.....and live in native bush.....

NZ Tui

It may not be native, but Little Miss was chuffed when I found this little green walking stick and placed it on her hand.....

These are just some of the diverse and exotic creatures that can be found in NZ.....the plants and scenery can be pretty impressive too.....

Unfurling frond of the Tree Fern

Tree Fern

Little Miss

Zealandia is situated in a valley that comprises the original concrete water reservoirs for the Wellington region .....now decommissioned due to earthquake risk. This is the little inspection tower which is reached via a small bridge, and has been renovated using the original colours.....

Inspection Tower

Here's the inspection tower and little bridge.....notice just how close suburbia is.....

It is hoped that this area, which is now fully enclosed, will be restored to something of it's former state over a 500 year timeframe.....the time it will take for the forest to regain its former diversity and structure.....WOW, that's a long time.....

View from the lookout platform of one of the two dams and lakes.....

It was such an amazing place, and an ideal introduction for the Angels to some of New Zealand's native flora and fauna.....with a picnic lunch and the sun shining again, it was an interesting, educational and fun day. Thanks A.....it was awesome!

-xx-

Flying, exploring, learning, meeting.....

So, my Angels had never flown before, and their first experience was to be a long haul flight.....well 3 actually....in the new A380 double decker airbus......and boy were they long.....13 hours to Singapore.....just a half hour while they cleaned the plane .....then a further 10 hours to Melbourne......1 hour to freshen up......then a final 4 hours to Wellington.....phew, 28½ hours of travel.....were we exhausted or what? But the excitement of landing at our final destination soon revived us. I have to say, I was a little concerned with the prospect of travelling such a long way, for such a long time, cooped up in such small spaces with all 4 Angels together....with long queues, and lots of security checks thrown in for good measure.......quite possibly a disastrous mix ......but they were absolutely brilliant......took it all in their strides.....helping each other and me, when necessary......I needn't have worried....they all made me very proud!

After a good long sleep in comfy beds, we were rearing to go and ready to explore.....so first off was a tour of Grandpa's farm on his tractor and trailer.....the Angels' first encounter with sheep and cows....and a walk along the river bank looking for wild flowers and love ❤ stones....

Little Miss

Later we did a spot of eeling in Black Creek, but we didn't even get a single bite! Bummer.....we were assured there were loads of them.....and big ones too! But it was not to be.....not this time at least!

Weta Studios in Miramar was really interesting....a teeny tiny museum of sorts..... showcasing the special effects, props, armour, and weapons invented, made, and used for the Lord of the Rings, Narnia Prince Caspian, King Kong, Avatar, Tintin, and most recently The Hobbit films, to name just a few.....it was well worth a visit.....and it was free!

Te Papa Museum in Wellington was also free.....amazing......with lots of interesting things to see and do.....the biggest giant squid ever found......the extinct giant flightless Moa bird.....

Moa

and the Angels experienced what it is like to be in an earthquake, in a specially built cottage inside the museum.....quite pertinent as Christchurch experienced another major earthquake just days before Christmas. 

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any live kiwis, but we did see these in the museum....

NZ Kiwi

And as was to be expected, there was a large section devoted to Maori culture....

Maori War Canoe

Maori Store House

Detailed Carving of Maori Store House

We didn't manage to see all the museum.....in fact, we only touched the surface....and we hoped to go back to see the rest, but sadly, we just didn't get there....too many other interesting and exciting things to do!

Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the chilly, with temperatures roughly the same as here in England.....cold for a New Zealand summer.....warm for a British winter.....around 13C......so we had to find lots of warm clothes and coats for everyone, as we only took summer clothes.

Despite the grey weather, there were new skills to learn.....a tractor just begging to be driven.....

Big Lad learning to drive

and a flying fox (zip wire to the British) to be zipped along.....

We collected some pretty coloured eggs.....

cuddled some chickens......

and Little Lad found himself a lucky four-leafed clover to be preserved and treasured.....

at least he thinks it's a four-leafed clover.....I'm not entirely sure, and secretly think it's from an entirely different plant......a bit of a rogue.....but he was well chuffed with himself.

We also had a meet the POME's day, when friends and family came for a BBQ to say HELLO .....it was quite an overwhelming experience for me because I hadn't seen these people in many, many years, and it was just soooo good to catch up with them all......it was also quite overwhelming for the Angels too, and exciting, because they met Aunties, Uncles, and cousins of cousins for the very first time.....FAMILY......cousins their own ages who they could play with, and got on like a house on fire..... this feeling of belonging, being surrounded and embraced by family was simply quite wonderful for us all.......we've been so isolated here in England for the last 19 years, with no family except ourselves. I can't wait for the next time we can all be together again.

-xx-

We're back......

H a p p y   N e w   Y e a r !

Phew, it's been a while since I've posted here.....we've been soooo busy......half way round the world in fact.....to.....NEW ZEALAND.....for the most fabulous, wonderfullest Christmas and holiday with family and friends....remember that most fabulicious surprise I mentioned way back here? Well......this was it!

Silver Fern - Ponga

It was a H U G E surprise for my Angels who knew nothing about our trip until 2 nights before we travelled. It was full to the brim with new experiences....they had never even flown before. It was so full on, our feet never seemed to touch the ground......there was so much to see and do.....family to meet, driving to learn, cows and sheep to round up, eels to catch, quad bikes to ride, shooting to try, a tractor get to grips with, amazing and unique flora and fauna to marvel at, new friends to make, bikes, scooters and skateboards to ride, new pets to look after, graves to visit, long bike rides to tire, laughter, fun and excitement to be had, Christmas presents to be opened, new games to learn, seas to swim in, farms to explore, museums to see, flying foxes to zip on, boiling mud pools to wonder at, water slides to zoom down, BBQs to cook, earthquakes to feel, Christmas trees to find, cut and decorate, volcanic activity to learn about, donkeys to ride, birthdays to celebrate, sheep shearing to see, chickens to hold, old friends to catch up with, a ferry trip round the harbour to enjoy, an isolated island to explore, hot pools to relax in, Maori culture to experience at first hand, sheep shows to watch, lots and lots of yummy food to devour.......Wow, that was A LOT to pack into a few short weeks!

National Emblem - the Silver Fern

It's been a long, long time.....more than half my lifetime, in fact......since I have been surrounded by family.....and it felt sooooo good....like being wrapped up all comfy and cosy in the warm (maybe that was because it was summer, hehe) embrace of a cuddly blanket.....it was very, very hard, sad and bittersweet when it was time to say goodbye.

But while we were there, we had the most amazing time, with loads and loads of fabulous memories made, to treasure for the rest of our lives.

Home of the Rugby World Cup Holders

Our most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone who made our time in NZ so special and amazing, but especially to my Dad and his wife G.....

T H A N K   Y O U ! ! !

from the bottom of our hearts.

I was hoping to post little blog entries every few days while we were out there, but seriously.....there just wasn't the time.....we had to make the most of every available hour, minute even......so I hope to make a series of posts over the next few days with a small selection of the 1500 or so photos we took.....a "flavour' of our best holiday ......E V E R ! ! !

-xx-