Also contributing to the lack of activity in May has been an abundance of school work, which makes sense when you consider that of the four full months classes are in session (March, April, May and June), two of them are spent on break. Absolutely amazing when it's April and June; not so great in May.
But looking back to when things were great, stories return to the month-long adventures being held in April.
After dragging rain-soaked bodies back to Christchurch on the night of Sunday, April 4, hearty meals, hot showers, and soft beds were embraced. Frank was assembled in order to dry out, and laundry was done.
Ah, the comforts of home, of civilization. How we take thee for granted...
But as the sun began to rise on Monday morning, the plan for the day was rather murky. Having left Arthur's Pass a day earlier than anticipated, there was now a whole day to kill before piling back into the car for the start of the next leg of the journey. So, what to do?
Fortunately, the answer presented itself rather quickly. Discovering that there is a zoo several kilometers from the University, it seemed a decent option. Though still a bit gray and chilly out, the rain had vanished and sitting around all day was not an option. So, now armed with a plan, it was back in the car.
Orana Wildlife Park, located about 20 minutes from the University of Canterbury, is much like any zoo one can find in the United States, though it has certain characteristics that gives it that distinct New Zealand atmosphere.
Cute regardless of the country you're from.As with many things that have been run across throughout the country, things took on a much more relaxed feeling at Orana than in other zoos. Sure, the park was set up in much the same way, with paddocks arranged in a logical order able to be seen by walking along a path. Yet...
There were almost no zoo workers visible. And this could be irrelevant, except that visitors are able to get rather close to the animals.
How close?
There were almost no zoo workers visible. And this could be irrelevant, except that visitors are able to get rather close to the animals.
How close?
No, that still doesn't quite capture it.
Yes, better.
No waivers, no signs, no real supervision of any kind. Just "grab a branch and feed a giraffe" type of stuff. Oh, wait, there was one rule: no touching the giraffe on its face. Please pet the enormous animal on the neck only. And watch your fingers. Thank you.
Pretty standard, really.
At other times, it was difficult to understand where an animal's confined area began and where it ended.
Now, with this llama it was pretty clear that the white fence acted as a boundary. But, turning away from the llama and walking several feet to the right...
So which side of the fence is the llama actually on? Or are the cows just free? Why is this guy trying to eat my pants? Where is the zoo staff? Don't they realize animals are roaming free and completely running the show?
WHAT KIND OF A ZOO IS THIS??!?
And, most importantly,
Why do sheep refuse to take a photo with me? This was take #3 or #4, at least. Note the defeated body language.
The enormous grass kiwi that guarded the entrance to the wild bird exhibit. Maybe the only staff member sighted in the first two hours at the park.
Oh, what's this? A peacock wandering down the sidewalk?
Maybe this should have been expected at this point, but when you're looking at an island filled with monkeys and feel something approaching you from behind, you don't really anticipate to see this dude strolling up. In his defense, he seemed just as confused as I was.
Fortunately for all visitors, the few zoo employees in attendance at Orana Wildlife Park on this day made sure that not all of the animals wandered amongst the human visitors.
Deciding to go on the "Lion Encounter" offered at the zoo, it was unclear how close of an encounter it would turn out to be. But not for long.
Loading those looking to be encountered onto the back of a flatbed truck, there were some skeptical looks exchanged. Standing on the back of the truck, there was large cage enclosing everything and everyone, though it looked more like a chain-link fence than a deterrent to lion attacks. Then, with the only instruction coming to us in the form of a vague warning ("Don't touch the lions; they will rip your hand off."), the truck slowly rumbled through the fences and into the lion's habitat.
Understanding the nature of the truck's visit, the two male lions that inhabited this particular area began to jog along with the cage, one on each side. The truck would slow down at certain points so that the two (unarmed/defenseless) keepers could hold large chunks of raw meat halfway out of the fence to tempt the lions.
Please note that the hand in this picture belongs to an adult male measuring over six feet in height. And also recall that the cage is on top of the flatbed. Meaning the lion is standing on its hind legs on the ground, about three or four feet below the floor of the cage.
My point is that this was a very big cat. It may sound obvious to state that lions are large, but, wow. These lions were LARGE. And hungry.
"Don't look into its eyes!!"
Literally one to two feet from the people on this side of the cage. You could reach out and tickle the pads on his paws without fully extending your arm. Of course, nobody did, perhaps as a result of the frighteningly sharp claws gripping the cage.
Somewhat terrifying. Newly discovered respect for these animals. You grow up understanding them to be the "king of the jungle" and all that jazz, but to see them up close was a powerful experience. The way they stalked the truck, attacked the sides of the cage, crushed bone with a simple snap of the jaw, and all while piercing you with those intelligent eyes... moving.
Being slightly disoriented by the whole lion ordeal, it was time to check out a less aggressive, though potentially just as dangerous, animal before calling it a day.
Who doesn't love rhinos? Big, lumbering, and most importantly, herbivores! What more can you ask for?
Not quite as close to the rhinos as the lions, hearts pumped slightly slower during this feeding time.
And with that, Orana Wildlife Park was checked off the "to-do" list of the New Zealand experience. If there was ever such a list. And if Orana was ever on it.
Enjoying another night in civilization, tomorrow morning would mean another road trip, this time heading north. With the month being young, there was still over two weeks of traveling to complete, taking place all over the southern island of New Zealand.
Almost three more weeks without work or obligations of any kind. Freedom. Adventure. Exploration. No access to showers.
Oh, April. How I miss you so.
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