Amazing, our 2 and 1/2 month expedition is drawing to a close.  Sunday afternoon here and we are relaxing after two days on an even smaller island, Tiritiri Matangi, north of Aukland.  We spent one night in the bunkhouse there with researchers, volunteers, and other tourists like us.  Tiritiri is lovely and “predator free” and so hosts kiwi, takahe, and various other strange and lovely birds.  In 1980 it was a desolate pasture with rats and other vermin.  Today it is 80% forested and is the place most rich in native wildlife.

If it is Wednesday, we must be on the volcano.  This past week has truly been a tour with mostly two night stands across the North Island of New Zealand.  All good, we landed in Auckland with the brand new downtown convention center burning down.  It took days.  We had arrived late and missed our visit at high tide to the world class shorebird roost at Miranda on Thames.  We stopped there the next morning at low tide to find the sandpipers scattered far out in the shallows before continuing on to Rotorua with its mud pots, thermal pools, and fragrance of sulfur.

Australia was great but too dry.  Now in the green green land of South Island, New Zealand.  Pastures full of sheep and beef.  Snow covered mountains to the west, glacial lakes all about.  Gives one a burst of energy toward the end of a long pilgrimage.  

Yesterday we made the long and harrowing drive over and through the mountains to the dock on the fiord.  The boat took us to the sea past mile high rocks sticking up out of the water.  Wow and more wow!  Saw penguins too, Fiordland Crested Penguins to be precise.  

We have left the tablelands of the Canberra region.  Saw the national museum and the amazing botanical gardens.  Found the New Holland Honeyeater too.  Our camping has gone well even if we woke up to frost on two mornings.  Not having a “dingy” I have had to drive us about in the caravan.  Exciting.