We were up early so we could catch the boat over to Kapiti Island Nature Reserve. We arrived at Kapiti Boating Club on Paraparaumu Beach and Kapiti Island Nature Tours ran an instructional video and we bio-security checked our bags to prevent any bugs etc being imported onto the island. Huge efforts have been made to eradicate introduced mammals such as rats, stoats and possums so that it becomes a haven for native plants and birdlife. A possum was seen floating on a log near the island in 2012!
About 9am we were in a small boat, being pulled by tractor onto the beach and into the water.
We jumped out at Rangatira Point and walked around to a meeting place where a guide met us and gave us a briefing.
Jack, and Noel trying not to look like a tourist. Oh no. Not at all. 🙂
After the briefing we left the shelter and found a Kaka – never leave a bag around as it is guaranteed that a Kaka will be able to open it.
The guide who briefed us. Note where the zips are located in this and the next photo!
Having failed with 2 people’s bags it turned its attention to Jack’s bag.
I had been watching with amusement when out of the blue the Kaka flew up, landed on my bag and had a go at the zips, only prevented from success by intervention!
Having been thwarted it flew off into the trees. At that point a Weka turned up. If the Kaka doesn’t get your belongings a Weka will! Very, very quick at stealing things.
We were shown some of the plants and wildlife by the guide. There were some interesting spiders webs in the bushes.
After being shown around we started on the walk to Tuteremoana, the highest point on the island at 521m. We took the steep Trig track route up and the slightly less steep Wilkinson track down.
At the bottom of the hill.
NZ Robin and North Island Robin. (I think.)
On the way up we passed a stone chair with this plaque on it.
Onwards and upwards…
Interesting umbrella!
Just pausing to admire the view. Honest!
A feeding station for the Stitchbird (or Hihi) – sugar water is put in these cages to sustain the endangered population.
There is a Hihi inside the cage and one on the outside on the right hand side.
A Weka.
Saw this interesting pattern from a stump.
Still going up…
A Tui.
We made it to the top but there was some cloud just on the very upper parts of the island. There was a funny moment when Jack got to the top, looked out, couldn’t see the mainland and said the cloud was worse than he’d thought. After suggesting he turned around and looked in the opposite direction he could then see the mainland 🙂 The path had been quite winding and twisty so it was easy to mistake the direction!
Me, Jack and Debra.
Noel and Me.
Debra and Jack.
The view of the rugged NW coast.
The mainland, beyond the cloud.
Lunchtime 🙂
After trying Jack’s homemade mustard… 🙂
We were careful not to leave our bags and lunch lying around as this Weka would have been off like a shot with its contents.
On the way down. Jack doing his best David Attenborough impersonation.
This Kaka flew overhead and landed in a nearby tree.
Still going…
Below the cloud level and the forest opened up into a lovely view.
Noel and me.
Jack and Debra.
Waiting for the boat.
Approaching the mainland the boat aimed for a trailer which a tractor had put in the sea. Once ‘driven’ onto the trailer the tractor pulled us ashore.
Kapiti Island in the background.
Too much excitement and exercise 🙂
Just what the doctor ordered.
Another culinary delight was rustled up by the dynamic duo aka Jack and Debra 🙂
Seriously though, it was very, very nice. Sheila (Debra’s Mum) and Noel looking forward to the ‘Sumac and Orange Salmon’ which was done to perfection.
And finally, a beautiful sunset 😎
