Wrapping up in NZ

Our time in NZ after our Wellington trip included a trip to Otago, where we celebrated Nana's birthday (and did some fieldwork) in Moeraki and Mama gave a seminar at the University of Otago. We explored our neighborhood in Christchurch, including discovering Riccarton Bush, a preserved remnant of ancient forest close to our flat. And we went wildlife watching at Willowbank Reserve, where highlights included feeding the longfin eels and watching a kiwi snuffle around. And we headed up to Kaikoura and across to the West Coast to wrap up our fieldwork. Caden, Finn, and Mama enjoyed riding back from Greymouth to Christchurch on the Tranzalpine Railway. 

Exploring Riccarton Bush

Feeding the eels

Making salmon quiche with Nana

Playground in Fendalton, Christchurch

Playground in Moeraki, Otago

Caden learns important skills at the Moeraki Tavern

Moeraki boulders

And a dinner with a view

Up to Kaikoura. If you squint, you might be able to see fresh snow on the high peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura Range

Meat pie and sausage roll at a takeaways stop in Springs Junction en route to the West Coast

Hiking along the Pororari River in Paparoa National Park

Fun at Countdown Foods in Greymouth

The Tranzalpine Railway back to Christchurch

Pop!

Finn discovers bubble wrap:

Makin' music

Finn decided to perform for us the other night:

Wiggly in Wellington

This past weekend, we all flew up to Wellington. Other than passing through Auckland, none of us had ever spent any time on the North Island. And Te Papa, the National Museum, has the only colossal squid on display anywhere in the world. The colossal squid is by far Caden's favorite animal and has been for several years now. To Caden, therefore, the opportunity to see a colossal squid in the (albeit preserved) flesh was one of the things he most eagerly anticipated about our time in New Zealand. Mama was invited to present a seminar at Victoria University in Wellington, and we all tagged along for a weekend in the city. In addition to Te Papa and the squid, highlights included the many props and models from Peter Jackson's movies, riding the cable car up to the Botanical Garden and meandering our way back down to the waterfront past an amazing playground, walks along the water, and enjoying the restaurants and cafés. Caden and Finn even flew back with new shoes; Caden's had been literally falling apart on his feet. Nana and Boopa came along, and everyone had a great time, though Finn is becoming more wiggly and opinionated every day, so even the 40-minute flights there and back were quite an experience.

Gollum greeted us at the airport

At Te Papa

The colossal squid

Wow, a blue whale's heart is really huge!

Learning about Maori culture

Waiting for the cable car

What a view!

Awesome playgrounds

Fountains

And Smaug

Motorcycle

Finn learned another new word today. Vroom!