Nothing daunted, we decided to get on with the day. So in the spirit of true adventure, we decided that our next stop would be the Kiwi park and the Maori Experience. So, we trudged boldly up the flight of steps (a ramp criss-crossed) between parallel road across the hill sides, getting almost to the foot of the gondola and the cemetry.
At the entrance to the park a delightful Maori gentleman presented us with discount vouchers, we paid our fee, collected our electronic audio guides and entered the park. We were to learn that an enthusiastic owner had converted a rubbish ground into a wildlife park. Apart from the entrance retail centre (shop) and cafe, the park had been kept relatively wild. The trail could be followed as you wanted to and was only interrupted by the call to the conservation show and the Maori experience. At the show we were introduced to a variety of birds and the tuatara, which is, apparently, a living dinosaur.
Tuatara
Not surprisingly, the Maori gentleman had become a Maori warrior and was joined by another male and two female warriors. Later our Maori gentleman/warrior was to become a Maori groundsman and one of the ladies a receptionist. We learned some Maori words, heard songs and stories. After the show we were invited to take photographs. I could not resist joining them in the haka. I think that they were more amused than I was. Fortunately, I did have my 'All Blacks' gear on. Now I am a Kiwi.
Me - Maori
Of course we had to seek out the star of the park; the real kiwi bird. As always at these places, you enter a dark building, are assured that your eyes would adjust to the low light level. And so we starred. At the top of the hill in the centre we believed that there was movement. We shall never truly know, but even if it was, we shall never have a good image. I am sure that this strange nocturnal animal will have an image of us.
We returned to the apartment for a leisurely afternoon and then a walk back for glass of Speights pale ale each (I could have murdered a pint). The evening ended by sitting at the lake side, watching the sun set and waiting for that magical glow of a reflected fiery image of the sky on the lake. It never happened.
The Sunset that Never Happened
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