Zoo Tales

A few weeks ago we went to the zoo to celebrate the birthday of Ubuntu ('Bunty'), the little white rhino. While we were there we decided to get a family pass, which means we can visit the zoo as often as we like for the next year. The girls and I decided that Thursdays would be our 'Zoo Day', as the giraffes have their feeding time at 2:30pm, and one of our most favourite things to do is feed them! Last time we went my camera was flat, but not today!

First we bumped into this guy, an Eclectus Parrot, who was such a showoff! He chatted away to us and the girls were enchanted by him.

Then we headed on and saw some of our mammal friends. The Spider Monkeys, Cotton-Topped Tamarins, the Ring-tailed Lemurs who were back in their enclosure after it had undergone some alterations, and a rather sad looking Siamang.

Then we visited the chimps, who were enjoying a lay-about in the autumn sunshine.

We made our way around the little lake and then sat in the shade and refueled with a little picnic.

Then, you guessed it, it was time to see our friends the giraffes. We listened to the chat from the keeper, while she was mauled by them, lol. Then it was the best part, feeding them!

Then after that excitement we headed up to see the Sumatran Tigers. These guys (brother and sister) are usually hard to spot, but last time (camera-less of course!) one was right at the observation window. We didn't hold out much hope that we would get that lucky again...but...we DID!

After a stroll trough the wild bird aviary, we checked in with Bunty and family, then had a look at the reptiles. Sienna loves the reptiles. After that we had an iceblock and met a new peacock friend who struts around the zoo looking regal.

I then came across a weird species of monkey, very noisy lot they were, what's worse, they followed me home! I'll have to see if I can return them next week :)

Museum Madness

See what happens when you don't update your blog often? I end up posting two museum visits back to back! Anyway, last time we went to the museum they were setting up the Dr Seuss exhibit. Rog knew I'd want to go, being a big Dr Seuss fan, so on Friday we packed up the kids and once again hit the museum. The Dr Seuss exhibit was probably (if I am brutally honest) a little underwhelming, but we had loads of fun exploring the rest of the museum, including Excite, the hands-on area for children. Sadly, unlike Te Papa you have to pay to play, but at $20 for the family it wasn't too bad (the rest of the museum is free).

After exhausting all the activities in Excite, we went downstairs to look at the Waikato River exhibit, which included the girls favourite 'shaky house' that you sit in and it throws you around simulating an earthquake, or volcano eruption. They also loved this little 'bug' (below) which shows you what it might look like travelling along the bottom of the Waikato River.

Back upstairs was the sweetest little garden area, with knitted fruits and veges for the kids to 'plant' and 'harvest'. Have to say they had a wonderful time in this bit, and have requested a similar set-up at home!

Then we took a look at the Stories of Hamilton area, which had a lot of old photos and such. They had little embossing machines that the kids loved using, and we even got to dress-up!

Madi was looking 'depressed' because that was what she thought everyone looked like back then. I said there were some happy people too :)

Then Kyla and Sienna had turns at being little school girls. Cute!