NATURE IS BEAUTIFUL -
18 species have been reintroduced to the area, some were absent for 100 years in this lush bush land of 225 hectares. Some say the entry fee is highway robbery for what is essentially a walk in the woods where you may catch a glimpse of something awesome and this could just as easily be done in the great outdoors for FREE. The predator-proof fence is a world-first and was installed to exclude pests from harming the protected wildlife, keeping out: rats, weasels, possums, pigs etc.
40 rare species prosper in their native habitats so we got into hyper focused, bird watching mode but barely saw a birdie and were left thoroughly underwhelmed. However we did spot: fantails, tuis, karatiki and weta; if we hadn't our bush tramp would've been very mundane. 24 of the species are indigenous but they're DANG difficult to spot! The geckos were tricky to spy as even these lime green amphibians were camouflaged with leaves.
Dewy snowdrops caught my eye signalling the midst of Spring as did shags perched on branches in the murky water near the pontoon, many were nesting. Birdsong Gully has speakers with info to help visitors audibly detect birds through their pre-recorded song. The main highlight along the track was the birds feeding so this is where we plonked ourselves for a feed too. Kakas are sociable, forest dwelling, olive-coloured parrots; they would swoop down and screech from the treetops to nibble from the feeder.
A mama duck guarding her ducklings protectively as she was overwhelmed with love for her offspring, had everyone smiling and cooing. The water bird was giving us JOY! From there we took a steep, barely two minute walk to the Upper Dam but I'd almost rather live scorpions were thrown at me than scale steepness! My feet were being stubborn up to the striking vantage point although I would have kicked myself for missing it.
Tuataras have no banter. These spiny-backed, ancient reptiles don't have ears but do have a third eye mid forehead which is said to see into the Spirit World. Zealandia also has an old, abandoned goldmine named Morning Star which was one of 6 unsuccessful attempts to find gold in the area. We did discover more wetas and a few glow worms inside.
Back in the city, we went to Wellington Chocolate Factory - renowned in the city for its organic bean to bar approach using 18th Century methodology which you can watch! Shouted Amy a Peruvian hot chocolate and myself a chilli lime peanut blend; it was a cup of cheer and hope. The tasty truffle sample wasn't too shabby either. This can be found within Hannah's Laneway, a tucked away treasure of eateries.
As we were parched, Six Barrel Soda Factory was our next pit stop; it's not really a factory but it churns out soda nonetheless. The two of us shared a tasting of 3 mini sodas, we selected: 1) sarsaparilla - I liked this flavour best as it was full of sunshine with a vanilla note, 2) raspberry and lemon - quite tart pink lemonade and 3) cherry and pomegranate which was Amy's fave. All came with fresh, floral adornments and the pretty, sparkling beverages were concocted of natural ingredients.
As a two woman cookie army we failed dismally to obtain Mrs Higgins cookies. Try as we might, Maps Me continually misdirected us and we settled on Cookie Time from one of The Warehouse stores. While eating these we paid our solemn respects to the fallen soldiers at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. It is incredibly sad that one third of the New Zealanders who died in WW1 have no grave. The tomb of the unknown warrior allows the city to commemorate the 30,000 Kiwis who died in battle.
Sweet Mama's kitchen is an institution in its own right with their delicious New Orleans and Cajun style home cooking. They fully embrace the American diner culture complete with serving food in plastic buckets. My Jerk chicken Po Boy, curly fries, Creole aioli and I were very compatible. Classic Southern soul food induces happiness.
A VERY HIGH END FERRY -
Our early wake up was NOT great; I've decided that alarms are sleep murderers! On a captivating cruise through Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry we waved ciao, adios to smelly Welly, drinking it all in. It took little over 3 hours to complete the pleasant crossing from Wellington to Picton, seated at a table on Deck 8 at the very front. Although we weren't granted optimal visibility, as we got closer to South Island through Marlborough Sounds, we were staggered with the optical jewels. The Sounds are an expansive assemblage of sunken river valleys through water ways to secluded sandy shore and emerald hills.
We were treated to a special dolphin sighting :) The giveaway sign was sea birds swooping to the ocean's for a feed. The dolphins were really sweet popping their face and fins up to say 'Kia ora!' This was just what we wanted to see first thing in the morning.
PICTON LOVE -
The cherished gateway port to inlets and islands is sweet and enamouring - plus a lot prettier than we thought it would be. We could tell that in the summertime Picton would be even more gorgeous as it's the most paradisey place. Luckily, we were able to check right in at Picton Yacht Club Hotel almost an hour early after we'd hauled cases along the placid waterfront.
Our standard double room was more than sufficient but the receptionist seemed perturbed by my decision to have booked a 'small' suite to share. We are sisters and don't need a luxurious suite - it was lovely. It was then that I discovered a bird had taken it upon itself to leave a 'present' on my rain jacket and back pack, much to my utter disgust. Amy tasked herself with cleaning it off as I was far too grossed out but not before she'd chortled at my 'lucky', yucky predicament. At the time, I saw zero amusement in the situation.
IT'S A DAY FULL OF MARINE LIFE LOVE -
After a blueberry swirl pastry of aggressively juicy finesse from the local village bakery, the Eco World Aquarium and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre invited us over. Amy and I joined a guided tour just as a tank of fishies were being fed. It was funny to see a sting ray spitting up a mussel as he couldn't see the sea food (they use electro-sensors to locate their meals) and hates them. Mussels are nobody's fantasy snack!
The Centre rescues Little Blue Penguins and rehabilitates between 5 to 9 each year. They have one that has become too tame to be released back into the wild and it was one of the most precious things I've seen in my life. We were all allowed to take turns to gently stroke the lil' guy and I almost sobbed with joy. Little Blues are my favourite species of penguin so this was a delight and surreal by every stretch of the word. I never thought I'd get to do this!
WHAT WAS THEIR PORPOISE FOR RUNNING AMOK? -
Tuataras are so maudlin and smoother to the touch than expected when we handled them. They're only fed once a week, have 4 heart beats a minute and can hold one breath for an entire hour. The prickly looking spikes are on their back are surprisingly soft. One of the terrible American kids took her turn and it was close to biting her arm. The snake neck turtle's baby was insanely cute but the snappy necks strike prey and it's terrifying. A cray fish struck glorious poses at the glass for us.
The most socially dysfunctional kids were with their hippy dippy Dad at the aquarium and they kept interrupting our guide demanding 'Can I pet it?!!!!!' or to ask some moronic question. My wrath for them made me scowl 'NO' when one of the requests was directed at me. Their father was allowing them to run about rambunctiously and treat the creatures in the touch tank so disrespectfully. It's not like they were five or six either. They were closer to ten years old and being bratty manhandling the sea life. Our own time with the sea stars was spoilt by their maltreatment and riled me mightily.
COOL FACT - Star fish are devoid of blood and a brain.
A GREAT SISTER-SISTER BONDING EXPERIENCE -
We had the perfect time sauntering Picton with its funkily coloured, giant sun loungers which are comfy but admittedly fraying and tacky. Unwound by the jetty where the waterfront boasts AMAZING, world class views out to crystal clear waters and the Sounds. With so many boutique souvenir stores we were bound to pick up a thing or two; my kiwi mirror stickers were a must buy.
Both our evening plans were scuppered as Thai Panda was closed so we instead dined from a Turkish takeaway, taking it back to our suite so we could watch Sky TV at the hotel. Next, we'd planned to swim under the stars as the website promised a heated pool year-round but after taking the trouble to change, we dipped a hand in only to find the water was ice cold. We couldn't possibly handle that! I was peeved as we'd treated ourselves to this one night of semi-luxury, purely to swim and that was taken from us. I was flat out put out when reception confirmed that we could still take a dip but that they don't heat it that time of year. And so, we wrapped up snugly in warm clothes in the almost midnight hours to walk round the marina. It wasn't really lit when darkness fell but was extraordinarily photogenic all the same.
Our early wake up was NOT great; I've decided that alarms are sleep murderers! On a captivating cruise through Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry we waved ciao, adios to smelly Welly, drinking it all in. It took little over 3 hours to complete the pleasant crossing from Wellington to Picton, seated at a table on Deck 8 at the very front. Although we weren't granted optimal visibility, as we got closer to South Island through Marlborough Sounds, we were staggered with the optical jewels. The Sounds are an expansive assemblage of sunken river valleys through water ways to secluded sandy shore and emerald hills.
We were treated to a special dolphin sighting :) The giveaway sign was sea birds swooping to the ocean's for a feed. The dolphins were really sweet popping their face and fins up to say 'Kia ora!' This was just what we wanted to see first thing in the morning.
The cherished gateway port to inlets and islands is sweet and enamouring - plus a lot prettier than we thought it would be. We could tell that in the summertime Picton would be even more gorgeous as it's the most paradisey place. Luckily, we were able to check right in at Picton Yacht Club Hotel almost an hour early after we'd hauled cases along the placid waterfront.
Our standard double room was more than sufficient but the receptionist seemed perturbed by my decision to have booked a 'small' suite to share. We are sisters and don't need a luxurious suite - it was lovely. It was then that I discovered a bird had taken it upon itself to leave a 'present' on my rain jacket and back pack, much to my utter disgust. Amy tasked herself with cleaning it off as I was far too grossed out but not before she'd chortled at my 'lucky', yucky predicament. At the time, I saw zero amusement in the situation.
After a blueberry swirl pastry of aggressively juicy finesse from the local village bakery, the Eco World Aquarium and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre invited us over. Amy and I joined a guided tour just as a tank of fishies were being fed. It was funny to see a sting ray spitting up a mussel as he couldn't see the sea food (they use electro-sensors to locate their meals) and hates them. Mussels are nobody's fantasy snack!
The Centre rescues Little Blue Penguins and rehabilitates between 5 to 9 each year. They have one that has become too tame to be released back into the wild and it was one of the most precious things I've seen in my life. We were all allowed to take turns to gently stroke the lil' guy and I almost sobbed with joy. Little Blues are my favourite species of penguin so this was a delight and surreal by every stretch of the word. I never thought I'd get to do this!
Tuataras are so maudlin and smoother to the touch than expected when we handled them. They're only fed once a week, have 4 heart beats a minute and can hold one breath for an entire hour. The prickly looking spikes are on their back are surprisingly soft. One of the terrible American kids took her turn and it was close to biting her arm. The snake neck turtle's baby was insanely cute but the snappy necks strike prey and it's terrifying. A cray fish struck glorious poses at the glass for us.
The most socially dysfunctional kids were with their hippy dippy Dad at the aquarium and they kept interrupting our guide demanding 'Can I pet it?!!!!!' or to ask some moronic question. My wrath for them made me scowl 'NO' when one of the requests was directed at me. Their father was allowing them to run about rambunctiously and treat the creatures in the touch tank so disrespectfully. It's not like they were five or six either. They were closer to ten years old and being bratty manhandling the sea life. Our own time with the sea stars was spoilt by their maltreatment and riled me mightily.
COOL FACT - Star fish are devoid of blood and a brain.
We had the perfect time sauntering Picton with its funkily coloured, giant sun loungers which are comfy but admittedly fraying and tacky. Unwound by the jetty where the waterfront boasts AMAZING, world class views out to crystal clear waters and the Sounds. With so many boutique souvenir stores we were bound to pick up a thing or two; my kiwi mirror stickers were a must buy.
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