You DON'T want to stay at a Weta Hotel...

Hey everyone! It's another wonderful day in Wellington. Work has been going well, and I am enjoying myself very much.

Today, Eoin and I went to the Korari Wildlife Sanctuary. We weren't sure how it would be until we got there, because it has been raining on and off all weekend, but we decided to take our chances! For the most part, it was windy and a bit chilly but no rain (except for a few sprinkles). So we lucked out.

The Korari Wildlife Sanctuary was built to try and promote the native birds and reptiles of New Zealand to mate and produce. A lot of the native animals became extinct when settlers arrived and many more are close to extinction. So, the reserve is completely "pest free" (no rodents or predatory animals can get in) and then even check your bags apon arrival to ensure you aren't sneaking any mice or rats into the park!

Some of the animals they have at the sanctuary are Tuatara (a reptile that is definitely worth a wikipedia look-up), Wetas (nasty gross bugs), Kaka's (a parrot that is sooo cool) and Tuis (neat birds) and of course, Kiwis. We saw all of these but the Tuatara and Kiwi. Tuatara don't like the cold, and today was too chilly for them, they stayed in their burrows where it was warm. Eoin was really bummed, but I am sure we will have many more chances to see a tuatara on our adventures. We didn't see the Kiwi because, well, they are nocturnal and very good at remaining hidden in the forests.

Another interesting highlight at the sanctuary was the Goldmine. Back in the day, there was a goldrush in New Zealand. One of the places people looked for gold was in Korari. They have re-opened one of the mines and Eoin and I got to go in it. We wore hardhats and had a cool flashlight that allowed us to look for cave weta (gross bugs). We found one, and that was good enough for me. I don't know what I would have done if there were several of them all hanging out in there. Gross...

Anyway, I think that is about it. I am sure Eoin will have a lot more to say...he is the writer out of the two of us you know...

Here are some pictures for you!

This is a weta that is staying in a "Weta Hotel". Basically, it is a huge log that has small holes cut in it for the weta to crawl in. Inside, there are "rooms" for the weta to sleep in. They are such gross bugs.

This is a Kaka at one of the bird feeders in the park. There is also a Tui in the lower right hand corner, behind the Kaka. The Tui are afraid of the Kaka, but not scared enough to eat its food when he isn't there. It was funny to watch the Tui eating the birdfood and then fleeing when the Kaka came close by.

Here we are, at the top of the observation tower! Ooooooo