A note: I know you're all anxious to know what's going on RIGHT NOW for me, the answer is not much, I work and spend a lot of time reading/writing/watching T.V. and wandering around. I will provide a full blog post about Haast soon, but in the meantime, enjoy reading the next 3 posts of other things!
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Somes Island has been used for many
different types of quarantine (including a leper at one point in
time) and other random uses in New Zealand's history, although it is
now just a cool place to visit and is more focused on maintaining
native specieseseses of plants and animals. Although not a native
Moose was allowed on the island after strict checking to be sure he
didn't accidentally bring in any other exotics and the promise that
he would not eat any of the native wild life (like Penguins, Tuatara,
Weta, etc.) The ferry ride to the island was uneventful and kind of
rainy which made pictures....not taken...Moose spent the ride wanting
to be sea sick but keeping it together. Upon arrival he went with
Renee, Uncle Tim and Aunt KC to the reception hut to check for exotic
plant life brought in by accident and the possibility of mice (no
moose, thank goodness). Then other friends were met and all walked up
to the houses which were built for the families of workers in the
1960s (probably; moose was more concerned with the scenery than
listening to the lesson). That evening there was a bit of exploring
of the “museum” of the old quarantine building.
Moose though it would be interesting to
see what it felt like on the other side of the bars where he would
have been quarantined up to 10(ish) years ago but was a little scared
he would be left behind so quickly re-joined Renee and the others to
explore more of the island.
Further exploring revealed sheep! Which
all had been cautioned not to pet since the ram is quite possessive,
and while Moose believes himself to be more than capable of handling
a lone ram Renee reminded him to be respectful of his surroundings
and the “native” species.
Near the top of the small hill which is
most of the island are remnants of bunkers from WWII? Which were used
to keep a look out for planes by USA soldiers?? Moose found the
bunkers to be a little spooky and very echo-y. Renee thought it would
be interesting to play trombone in one of them but only with really
good ear-plugs.
On the way back the wind was blowing
which was good since most of the island's power comes from this
windmill. (If you listen closely you can hear the REALLY COOL sound
it made)
The sunset was fairly spectacular as
was the night walk which introduced Moose to 3 Tuataras and many
several GIANT Weta but because of the dark there were not many
pictures taken.
Just these of the night Wellington
skyline
and this which we believe came from a rather startled Tuatara
The next morning everything was packed
up and left at the “reception cabin” before Uncle Tim, Aunt KC,
Renee and Moose circumnavigated the island on the walking path. About
halfway around Renee got JUST too close to a nest and was attacked by
a pair of seagulls who knocked the hat off her head and poo-ed on it,
for good measure. Moose had to be reminded of his oath to let the
wildlife be since the attack startled Renee and made her have to
clean her hat.
The ride back was, again, uneventful
and although a nice day there were no pictures taken.
XP: Size of Somes Island in ha + 1,000
for being attacked by a bird: 1,025
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