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Published: August 8th 2010
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Protected Lizard
One was sighted in fenced area that afternoon, but we didn't see it Back in Wellington to explore more about this lovely city. Today I went to the bird sanctuary, Zealandia, at top of city. They fenced a valley and lake that once provided the city with drinking water, trapped or poisoned all the predaters such as rats and possum, and reintroduced native species such as bugs, lizards and birds. Its a neat sanctuary because the birds can fly freely as they please and I think many people in Wellington enjoy feathered visiters. There are various displays to educate public about the bugs, birds or lizards. One of my favourites was area where you could push buttons to hear bird calls and they had speakers in surrounding trees so that it seemed as if the bird was right there. I wonder if it confused real birds?
The museum/educational centre at Zealandia is well-done; especially the movie to show how human migrants destroyed so much of the native environment that many creatures are now extinct. It is heartwarming to know that New Zealanders have put a lot of energy and money into creating environments to protect species from European-introduced predators, and that native species are gaining in strength.
Bird calls in this country are amazing.
A what?
Click on picture to enlarge and read info One bird (Tui, I think) has two voiceboxes so when it sings it can range between sweet tweeting and creaking weird sounds.
Earlier today the sun was blasting and I photographed yet another Sunday morning in Wellington. The environment is so 'people friendly'; other cities should send investigaters to report on ways to make their city spaces just as lovely (if they had a waterfront). Here is one idea, have a fishing boat dock beside market area to sell fresh fish. Or, create cement slabs with lines from national poems and leave them lying amongst the harbour infrastructure.
This blog starts with photos of the bird sanctuary, then earlier harbour landscapes, and then days earlier photos from coastal towns.
Travel Tip: 1) Book into the hostel across from train station. Its the most convenient location and you can navigate throughout the city by walking along the waterfront (quickest way from one end of town to the other)
The veranda is a wonderful place to catch the sun and watch the world go by. This afternoon there was a rugby game in the city, and fans dressed in gold and black were heading for the stadium. 2) In winter the train
Wellington Harbour
A sunny morning and I ran around taking photos of classic things. This statue was created by a broken-hearted artist. that goes to Auckland only goes on Friday. The rental cars in this city are overpriced and the bus would take up to 10 hours to get to Auckland. The best way to shift out of here is the plane (about $70 can). I'm flying to Auckland tomorrow and will pick up rental car for half the price that they want to charge here. Once again I am not sure where I will be tomorrow night, but that adds to the adventure.
I reviewed the blog, and these sentences should be beside the sorrowful statue, the one that leans into the wind naked to the elements. Quite lovely, this statue, it highlights movement against the winds of Wellington and so much more. What is it about this country that inspires people to either move here, or leave something wonderful?
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