Our Last Full Day, NZ

Nov 1

After a delicious breakfast we climbed Mangere Mountain (a dormant volcano, as if the volcanologist really know). At the top we were entertained by a Tūī (bird) flitting from tree to tree catching moths.

At the bottom of the mountain we followed an Eastern Rosella Parakeet as she hopped in a field eating seed heads.

Our next destination was Ambury Regional Park. Google maps took us astray and we walked a bit further than planned into a Regional Pony Club. Kiwis are generous and whenever we’ve been lost, someone will call or walk over to help us. This time a woman appeared in her driveway and gave us directions into a farmer’s field.

Walking through several sheep paddocks, we made it to the ‘Bird hide’ (a coastal sanctuary). My objective was to see the black swans (that I remembered from my youth). Four adults flew overhead into the marshy viewing area. My bird check list was complete!

We finished our evening walking to Mangere Bridge “where Nathan went over” (see below).

All total, we walked 8.7 miles.

Playing our final NZ game of cribbage, I commented, “Wow, it’s late. The days have gone by so fast.”

“Yes, they have.” Larry agreed.

Tomorrow, November 2nd, we leave at 2:50 p.m. and arrive home on November 2nd at 12:10 p.m. Not only will the day go by fast, it will go backwards!

Morning stripes.

The Tūī is loud and recognizable from its call of whistles, clicks, coughs and grunts. It starts singing in the morning and is the last to sing at night. They have different regional accents and are able to imitate the call of every bird in the forest.