Hi, it is Mootie here.
For me, one of the highlights of my trip to New Zealand was seeing the park where Joseph worked. The girls had seen a bit of it when we took a drive through but when Joseph wanted to show me more they all decided to stay at the house. So in the end, only Joseph and I went.
We first drove up to the Part Centre where they have both a very good public display and also the park headquarters. Also outside there were some spectacular viewing decks where people could enjoy views of the surrounding forest, a large water supply lake and the distance harbour.
We went from the public areas through into the headquarters where I was able to meet some of the people Joseph is working with including Kevin, the Head Ranger. We had a long talk with him and he was telling about the park. Also, I was showing photos of the park where Joseph worked and I am now the Head Gamekeeper.
Then suddenly the Head Ranger said, “Here give me five minutes and I will take you for a tour if you like.”
I looked at Joseph a bit worried that someone else had taken over his tour but he nodded yes and told me I will see a lot more this way.
We travelled along a major public road which ran through the park. They call this the Scenic Drive, apparently built during the 1930s depression to give men work. This is one thing which was so different about this park; it was so open to the public. I explained how different it was to my park in India because we tightly controlled all access to the park. Kevin said that here the policy was open and free entry and access. He also said it would be impossible to stop access since a number of public roads passed through the park area.
We visited a very large Kauri tree which is believed to be eight hundred years old. We saw some waterfalls and wild surf beaches. I learnt a lot about managing park land differently. I have some ideas to take back with me. I also took a lot of photos too so I could show Joseph’s friends at the game reserve where he was working now.
Over lunch, at a café with a spectacular view of Auckland City, we got into an interesting discussion on the animal food chain in a place where there were no animals. This was interesting to see how nature worked things in such a very different eco-system. This is probably what I was so amazed about New Zealand. There are no larger native animals and no snakes both of which play an important role in the eco-system of my park.
So after lunch, we returned to the Park Centre and then Joseph and I returned to Shanti’s house. We found many of them were out on a tour of their own which of course is being told with in another story by Katrina I think.
I had a good day. Thanks Joseph for my tour.
So is this the end of the New Zealand adventures?
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