As we near the end of this adventure, the day’s primary task was to get from Taupo to Aukland. But we made the trip interesting with several stops along the way.
The first stop was the Arapuni swinging bridge over the Waikato River. Arapuni is a tiny town with very little other than a hydroelectric dam and power station. The swinging footbridge doesn’t actually swing that much, but it provides a good view of the valley.
We continued a short distance to the Sanctuary Mountain nature preserve at Maungatautari. This is a piece of restored natural rain forest that has been totally fenced to exclude all land mammals other than humans.
New Zealand originally had no mammalian predators until humans brought them. That is how so many of the unique species developed here, especially flightless birds, such as the Kiwi. The mammals also upset the natural environment of endemic vegetation by eating plants and seeds that originally grew without being removed from the forest floor.
Since some of these offending mammals are as small as rats and mice, the fence must be very fine, and must be kept in constant repair. Inside the perimeter, traps and poisons must be used to eradicate species that do not belong.
The result is that many plants, birds, and reptiles that have been at the edge of extinction have flourished here. For example, many of the Kiwi chicks that we learned about at the national hatchery are returned to the wild here.
Our local guide here was both knowledgeable and entertaining. We knew immediately upon being introduced to him — with long hair, multiple Maori tattoos and piercings, and bare feet (even on course gravel!) — that he was going to be an interesting fellow.
We were fortunate on our walk to get to see several New Zealand pigeons and a couple of KaaKaa parrots at fairly close range.
Leaving the Sanctuary Mountain, we drove only a short distance to a small family cafe that served us an excellent lunch. Then it was back on the road on the way to Aukland.
Aaron, our tour director, made use of the time to tell us about a number of issues related to New Zealand culture and politics. The failed referendum to change the New Zealand flag, the change in gun laws after the Christchurch terror attack, and the push to construct mass transit systems in Aukland, where the population is growing rapidly, were the key topics.
We managed to get into Aukland before rush hour, but the traffic congestion was similar to what one would expect in any city of 2 million population. After checking into our hotel, which is well-located in the central business district, we met for a brief walking orientation.
Our walk ended at the America’s Cup pavilion on the harbor, and from there we joined another couple for a small supper at a local pub. Prices are high here, which one would also expect in the heart of a major city, especially just a block or two from where massive cruise ships dock every day. But the food and beer were good.
On the way back to the hotel, we got a bit damp in a brief shower, but were rewarded with a double rainbow. We took a few detours to explore various stores and sites that had been mentioned on the orientation walk. Some were closed, but tomorrow is another day.
New Zealand originally had no mammalian predators until humans brought them. That is how so many of the unique species developed here, especially flightless birds, such as the Kiwi. The mammals also upset the natural environment of endemic vegetation by eating plants and seeds that originally grew without being removed from the forest floor.
Our local guide here was both knowledgeable and entertaining. We knew immediately upon being introduced to him — with long hair, multiple Maori tattoos and piercings, and bare feet (even on course gravel!) — that he was going to be an interesting fellow.
Aaron, our tour director, made use of the time to tell us about a number of issues related to New Zealand culture and politics. The failed referendum to change the New Zealand flag, the change in gun laws after the Christchurch terror attack, and the push to construct mass transit systems in Aukland, where the population is growing rapidly, were the key topics.
We managed to get into Aukland before rush hour, but the traffic congestion was similar to what one would expect in any city of 2 million population. After checking into our hotel, which is well-located in the central business district, we met for a brief walking orientation.
Our walk ended at the America’s Cup pavilion on the harbor, and from there we joined another couple for a small supper at a local pub. Prices are high here, which one would also expect in the heart of a major city, especially just a block or two from where massive cruise ships dock every day. But the food and beer were good.
No comments:
Post a Comment