Tag Archives: new zealand

Feedback from Our Readers

One of my loyal readers writes:

So I think it’s fair to say that [your blogger] is drifting way, way off track in New Zealand and an intervention may be necessary. The evidence is pretty clear.

First, his blog postings are coming at intervals of days, not daily or even hourly like any blogworthy New Zealand trekker (or, to use the local parlance, “Tramper”) would do.

Second, we see video proof that he is being attacked by murderous parrots and is forced to flee for his life whilst muttering incoherently. He seems overcome by parrotnoia.

Third, by his own admission he is stunned by the local visual phenomena, which apparently include painted wooden pallets and piles of rubble.

Fourth, he goes to uninhabited islands looking for extinct ten foot birds.

Finally, he’s so enthralled by local sights and discoveries that he focuses on…shipping containers.

Should we notify the local medical authorities? The constabulary? What is to be done?

Fear not, loyal reader. This blog is in fact staying in the finest accommodations and is well beyond the reach of the parrot menace. And while it’s true that the moa-spotting is not going as well as might be hoped, I am optimistic about my chances here in Wellington. There are numerous side streets, shopping arcades, and alcoves that could easily provide shelter for whole families of moas. Keep watching this blog for moa updates!

moa encounter

Moa Encounter (Artist’s Rendition)

Ferry to Wellington

The ferry I was on (the Kaitaki) is the largest ferry in New Zealand waters, it says here on my postcard. It’s about 600 feet long and can carry 1600 passengers and 600 cars. It’s big enough that you feel very little motion.

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Train to Picton

Took a shuttle to the Christchurch train station and the train to Picton. Walked to the ferry and took that across to Wellington, then took a shuttle to the Wellington train station, which is adjacent to the central bus terminal. Took the number 7 bus to Victoria Street and walked three blocks to the motel. About 12 hours total.

The trains have been outfitted with all-new carriages. I’m told they’re quite nice. The one I was on had the old carriages. Nice enough, though. It was like Amtrak in the ’70s, before it started to fall apart. One noticeable difference is that they don’t slow down when they go through a town.

The Coastal Pacific line travels along the coast from Christchurch to Picton, which is near the top of the South Island. Most of the way it looks a lot like California, with farms and ranches, and brown hills beyond. Plenty of oak, cypress, and eucalyptus trees. The beaches were a bit rockier, the ocean was a bit greener, and sheep were more plentiful, but otherwise it was very California-like.

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Riccarton Bush

The Riccarton Bush is an area of Christchurch containing part of the original forest that used to cover the the whole Canterbury area. It happened to be a few blocks from my hotel, so I went walking through it early one morning. I came across a tall, thin man wearing shorts.

“Birds,” he said, somewhat more intensely then the situation warranted.

“Yes,” I said. And there were.

He walked off, but a few minutes later I met him again coming down another path.

“It’s amazing to see this piece, right in the city. It used to cover this entire area.” He leaned in. “It’s the only piece remaining.”

Then he strode briskly away.