2007 12/14 Kiwi Spotting on Ulva Island

The weather again is playing tricks on us. Which is sometimes the case in the islands, we are after all in the rainforest - what else did we expect.

The clouds managed to part long enough for us to take a walking tour of Ulva Island. Ulva Island is a World Heritage listed island, one of many islands in the Rakiura national Park. It is a sanctuary for native plants and birds. The Department of Conservation has very strict rules you must follow to visit and you must check your shoes for dirt and seeds, and backpacks too for mice and rats.

New Zealand is trying to protect its flightless birds that fall prey to rats and the like. Because these predatory animals were all introduced to the area by European settlers, the flightless birds are easy prey. They nest close to the ground and the rats eat the eggs of the nesting birds. The Conservation Department checks bait stations each day to make sure the birds and plants are protected. No introduced species are allowed on the island - no cats, no dogs, no mice, snakes, no non-native animals!

We weren't luck enough to see any Kiwis in the wild - but we did see several other rare species that are rebounding from near extinction.

2007 12/10& 11 Kiwi Country!

We arrived Christchurch, New Zealand in the wee hours of the morning - the result of a plane delay. We spent the night in a hotel close to the airport only to wake up in a couple of hours to board a flight to Invercargill . Then we would connect with again another flight to Stewart Island. Sometimes you do have to do a little work to get where you're going! The final leg of our journey was in this little 8 person plane. There was rain in the area, but the flying was fine. It was a short flight and we were glad - a bit bumpy but we made it OK.

Stewart Island is small - very small. It has a population of about 300, mostly retirees. They do have about 13 children on the island and they do have a school - 1 teacher for all the kids.

2007 12/09 Cheers Mates!

We're not sure where our time in Oz has gone, but tomorrow we leave for New Zealand. We will miss this fantastic country - the land and the people have been incredible. We will especially miss the G'day Mate and the No Worries Mate that we hear from everyone we encounter. We couldn't possibly pick a favorite place or person - its all been absolutely wonderful!

We spent our final day in Bicheno walking on the beach and watching the locals surf and swim in the cold, cold sea. We shivered at the thought - but it didn't phase the Ozzies a bit.

Good Bye Beautiful Brown Country!

2007 12/08 Bicheno, Tasmania

We were rained-out at Cradle Mountain - no TV, no phone, no internet - just kangaroo, birds and wombat!

Our drive to Bicheno was a welcome change and the weather cooperated beautifully. The most incredible blue ocean meeting pure white sand. The beach went on for miles and miles, and with every bend in the road, we were met with another picture perfect beach. It was great.

We settled in at our resort and began our plan of action for the area. The next morning we drove South about an hour to Freycinet National Park. We hiked up to the lookout for Wineglass Bay, then down to the beach of the bay itself. It was a tough hike, up to the lookout, a brief trip down to the beach, then back up all the way to the car park. Nancy was exhausted when we finished. We really enjoyed the park - the sand was pure and white, and the sea was very blue and very beautiful!

Another neat thing we got to experience at Bicheno were the little Blue Penguins. We were unable to use flash photography, and they only come out of the ocean well after dark, so we are luck to have any image at all. You see, using a flash will blind the little fellas, and a blind penguin is a dead penguin. There were hundreds of them and they have the most peculiar method of returning to their burrows.

Well after dark they emerge from the sea and gather in groups of 20 or so. They stand shoulder to shoulder in groups waiting for someone to take the lead. Occasionally one will start to cross the sand, followed by another, then another - then they get scared and go back to the group and stand there until some other little fellow gets its courage up enough to cross the sand. You must be very patient, it may take 20 minutes, but they finally do make the trek and they will walk right by you! It's the most amazing thing to witness.

They return to sea the next morning, well before daylight, around 4:00 am. They never leave the water - they remain in the sea until nightfall, to fish and to protect themselves as they have no way to defend against predators.

2007 12/06 Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain National Park

We experienced a dramatic shift in the weather - but decided to break out the rain suits and take on the trail around Dove Lake. It took about 2 1/2 hours to complete but it was just as beautiful in the rain, no mountain viewing today though. Good thing we went out with the camera yesterday. Never put off what you can do today - you may not get an opportunity tomorrow!

2007 12/05 Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

We survived another long drive with enough daylight left to admire this awesome mountain! After checking into the lodge, and with weather on our side, we decided to go for a hike on one of the trails the lodge maintains on their property. It took around 2 hours, and views of the mountain were spectacular. The vegetation is so different than anything we've experienced here in the states, and we were just in awe of its beauty. Nancy even came face to face in the bush with a big kangaroo - she screamed like a little girl. Both Nancy and the Kangaroo fled in opposite directions.

2007 12/04 Hobart, Tasmania

We arrived Hobart for a brief pit-stop to pick up a rental car. We enjoyed a walk around town and fish and chips at the wharf. Here is a photo we snapped from the lounge area of our hotel.

We will spend the next 6 days touring Tasmania. Our next stop will be Cradle Mountain Lodge set on the Northern edge of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain/Lake St. Clair National Park in northwestern Tasmania. Cross your fingers for good weather as we have another long drive to look forward to.