Teknik151
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Kapiti Island ▷
Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Short story: Fully recommended!
Long story: Climb up the hill and get to see plenty of birds you don't stumble upon very often on the mainland (saddlebacks, hihi, weka,, kaka ...). Make sure you book the overnight stay, because that is where the fun begins. After being transfered to another bay you're going to get welcomed by the Barrett family. They're lovely hosts who happen to be visited by a takahe family on a daily basis. While that encounter alone is worth the visit you also have a great chance to spot a kiwi at night.
Anyway, sorry for posting this review so late It was a pleasure meeting you all and I really enjoyed discussing Kiwi music with Sam and Manaaki ;-)
Cheers, Sebastian
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Sure, you get to see about 100 blue penguins, but the entire "show" feels like a ripoff.
If you wait outside the venue or spend some time waiting near the harbour you might as well see some penguins really close - without busloads of tourists and without the fee.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Okarito ▷
Okarito Kiwi Tours
Thanks to Ian and Paul we managed to see two of the kiwis in the region.
Both guides are knowledgable and passionate while teaching you for what to listen to und look out for - and what background noises to suppress.
But be prepared for some nasty mozzies and the possibility to be scared to death by a curious possum approaching from behind while you're focussing on the other side of the path. If you're lucky you can also enjoy a wonderful starry sky on your way back.
Fully recommended!
Sebastian
Hi Sebastian
It was a boys night ! You saw White Eyes ( male ) and Fancy ( male ).
I hope the mozzie hats I gave out saved you from being bitten ?
Sebastian came out as part of a full group of Europeans, 4 from Sweeden, 2 from the UK and 2 from Germany. Everybody worked hard as a team and was rewarded with 2 sightings from 2 different birds
Well done and good work.
Ian