There are no native land-based predators, so the birds here are also quite chill, and even the endangered ones let you get quite close, hug them, and put them in your suitcase. We are now the proud parents of three Keas, a breeding pair of Takahe, and a Kiwi. Fingers crossed, customs goes smoothly!
The girls and I first arrived in Christchurch, where we were meeting up with Barry, renting a car, and then touring the South Island. As we eagerly awaited Barry, we found ourselves with several hours to kill at the airport since his plane arrived a bit later than anticipated. The shuttle driver recommended the nearby Antarctic center, and it did not disappoint. There we saw a 3D movie showing some glorious footage of the continent, complete with chairs that shake when you hit an iceberg, water spraying in your face as you face the ocean waves, and what I hope is also water spraying in your face when a seagull poops on the screen.
There was even a room with an igloo you could go in that would simulate an Antarctic storm every 15 minutes, although our Colorado kids were unimpressed with the cold temperatures.
I walk to school in this. I did try to put a husky in my purse, but we had to get to the airport, and I made a mental note to buy a bigger purse. We picked up jet-lagged Barry with hugs and stories of all our adventures and then started driving to Kaikoura.
The drive was gorgeous, with rolling hayfields, sheep, rocky outcrops, and ocean coastlines. It looked like we were driving through Settlers of Catan. It was raining, which apparently is a thing in winter here, and how everything stays so green.
