Chapter
Fortyone: 20 July 2005
Goodbye New Zealand
Trip to Wellington New Zealand
I felt we ought to drive down to Wellington for one last huzzah during
our New Zealand working holiday. I begged Patrick to consider taking
a few days off, or even the entire last week so we could do it. Then
I said I’d go without him. Then I begged some more. : D He talked
to work about taking a couple of days off, so Sunday after the big move
out of our home and into staying with Alfredo and Melizza, we hit the
road – exhausted, excited and exsomething else. We stopped in
Taupo and had lunch at the prawn farm. YUMMY!
One of the first things we did (after figuring out the map, finding
somewhere to stay, finding sustenance and finding an info centre) was
hit the museum. That place totally rocks. Patrick was saying most museums
are free/by donation, but considering I’ve spent my entire unfulfilled
uneducated and yeah, so I’m unworldly so what no one likes a know
it all, I was surprised at the low cost for such a highly entertaining
place. We could have stayed there all day, and the kids definitely would
have loved it. It’s on four levels, and it’s like Science
World except for funner!
We really enjoyed reading about possum roadkill fossils. Apparently,
a possum squashed by a car bleeds onto the road. The fluids make the
tar react, turning it soft, and then the bones get smushed into the
road by traffic, and eventually, they can cut out that piece of the
concrete and set it up in a museum so lots of children can learn about
how to make their own roadkill fossil!
I wonder if Patrick’s favorite area in Te Papa Museum was the
cave? We found it outside in the natural bush area, which is quite large
– it has a suspension bridge, New Zealand’s oldest rocks,
a fossil sandpit and information about volanoes. The caves also had
information on glow worms, stalactites and stalagmites.
This frog is on one of eight compass points. The ball means that’s
the direction of the earthquake. The balls fall out of dragon mouths.
It’s a pretty cool looking set up, but the picture of the whole
thing didn’t turn out.
I didn’t read up on this guy, but he looks pretty cool hanging
out on top of everyone eh?
EW! One weta weighs as much as three mice! EW! I saw a weta in the outdoor
play area at work, and the kids were fascinated. Another teacher said
(when the kids started touching it), “Let’s bring it home
so it can find it’s Mommy.” And that was the end of that.
It wasn’t as big as this guy though, and it sure didn’t
weigh as much as three mice! EW!
This guy was setting up for a magic show. This is the Maori Meeting
House that’s set up in the museum. Gorgeous eh?
The sign by this bull is “Only touch me with your eyes! If you
want me to survive please just look at me.” It represents the
impact of global trade - how an imported commodity has become an integral
part of Polynesian culture. It combines humour with irony with recycling.
A well known New Zealand artist drove his corrugated iron car all over
the country, making a statement. You’ve all seen the corrugated
iron signs in Tirau – I’ve taken pictures. It’s a
pretty cool looking car.
This magnificent forest is five minutes out of downtown Wellington.
It’s a bird sanctuary, and this fence is predator proof. We got
there a little too late to do the tour, what with my extra weight and
all, there’s no way we could have completed the walk by closing
time.
We drove around the gardens, took a look at the roses, checked out the
garden gift shop, and tried to head out – but we were trapped.
He was very determined to knock down this house – and block us
in. Patrick backed up as much as he could – but according to our
map, this was the only way out, it’s all one way around the gardens.
Could you imagine what Queen Elizabeth park would be like if it was
all one way? And these gardens are much bigger! That guy did move eventually.
The nine hours it took to drive to Wellington were interesting once
we got past Taupo. The nine hours it took to drive back to Auckland
were enjoyable. I’ve really enjoyed all the road tripping we’ve
been doing, and I’ve really missed it. I’m glad we got to
see Wellington before we left. I don’t have any real interest
in coming back to see the south island. It’s supposed to be more
beautiful, but I’m so happy to be home!
Goodbye New Zealand!
Xox
April