Found another one. Apparently they’re not just indigenous to New Zealand.
Tag Archives: moa
A Dearth of Yaks
So far I have seen no yaks on this trip. On the plus side, that makes it less likely that small children will hurl yak dung at me.
No moas, either, but they are not indigenous to Ohio.
And finally…
Did I find a Moa?
You bet. Although at almost $8 a glass, it’s no wonder they’re rare.
NZ Collage 2
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga is way the hell north. I went there. I saw it. Here’s a video. The wind makes it hard to hear in parts, but I’m just talking about moas, so it’s not like you’re missing anything.
Moas?
Dry Cave
After the glowworm cave, we went to what was called a dry cave (although it was not completely dry). That was the cave with the moa.
It also had cave weta. I wasn’t able to get a good picture because they are not friendly creatures and tend to scurry away. They’re skilled scurriers.
Anyway, I went to Weta Cave and I also saw cave weta. So…um…I don’t know. It sounded more interesting before I wrote it down.
Moa Update
Found one! Granted, it’s seen better days, but it’s over a thousand years old, so I think that’s understandable.
Te Papa
I’m at Te Papa Tongarewa. I really need to rethink the size of the camera I schlep around.
This is a big museum. There are Maori boats and houses, interactive earthquake displays, Captain Cook’s cannon, videos of Roger Muldoon, and a Sheep Cam.
Phar Lap’s skeleton is here, but his hide is in Melbourne.
There’s a moa, too, but it’s fake. I will not be fooled!
And trolls.
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 (Artist’s Rendition)