One Christchurch family is rejoicing this weekend because their red eared slider turtle, London, found his way home. I love stories like this!
Turtle returns after year-long absence - Story - National - 3 News
Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2
Showing posts with label new Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new Zealand. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Conclusion of Pokey vs. New Zealand
by Rachel Hoyt
Pokey started talking to me again this morning and, as often happens after a bout of silence, she had sincere wisdom to share with me. She admitted she was jealous and didn't want any other animal or insect to rank above her on the coolness pyramid. I comforted her the same way men comfort us ladies... "Oh Pokey dear. Don't be silly. No one could ever take your place." and gave her a kiss on the nose. Unfortunately, when it was Pokey's turn to speak, the bottom line was revealed. The fact is, I don't have enough money to buy a plane ticket at the moment. My designated travel savings consists of a jar full of change interspersed with a few dollar bills of different denominations. Despite the fact that there are some very affordable package deals available, I don't have enough yet. But, if anyone would care to bribe a writer with an all inclusive trip, I am avaialable... assuming I can get the time off work... I can tell the world about your country through letters to Pokey or using my rhyming poetry. For now I'll just have to dream of the Jaffa Roll, building my own spa at hot beach, and seeing creatures that have lived since the time of dinosaurs... and get back to writing about turtles instead of my crazy conversations with Pokey... unless, of course, you want those to continue too...
Image by kongsky via freedigitalphoto.net
Pokey started talking to me again this morning and, as often happens after a bout of silence, she had sincere wisdom to share with me. She admitted she was jealous and didn't want any other animal or insect to rank above her on the coolness pyramid. I comforted her the same way men comfort us ladies... "Oh Pokey dear. Don't be silly. No one could ever take your place." and gave her a kiss on the nose. Unfortunately, when it was Pokey's turn to speak, the bottom line was revealed. The fact is, I don't have enough money to buy a plane ticket at the moment. My designated travel savings consists of a jar full of change interspersed with a few dollar bills of different denominations. Despite the fact that there are some very affordable package deals available, I don't have enough yet. But, if anyone would care to bribe a writer with an all inclusive trip, I am avaialable... assuming I can get the time off work... I can tell the world about your country through letters to Pokey or using my rhyming poetry. For now I'll just have to dream of the Jaffa Roll, building my own spa at hot beach, and seeing creatures that have lived since the time of dinosaurs... and get back to writing about turtles instead of my crazy conversations with Pokey... unless, of course, you want those to continue too...
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pokey vs the Nga Manu Nature Reserve
by Rachel Hoyt
I wrote yesterday about an argument Pokey and are having about whether or not I should travel to New Zealand soon. She recognizes that not all areas of the island were harmed by the Christchurch earthquake, but had thought I would visit a certain person in Christchurch whenever I did make it to New Zealand. I, however, am completely swept up in the Blog4NZ worldwide blogosphere event and can hardly think of anything other than traveling to New Zealand. So, today I continued my debate with Pokey using information about other extremely rare animals to entice her.
All photos in this post are courtsey of Jim McIntosh of Holes in My Soles. No reuse without permission.
I wrote yesterday about an argument Pokey and are having about whether or not I should travel to New Zealand soon. She recognizes that not all areas of the island were harmed by the Christchurch earthquake, but had thought I would visit a certain person in Christchurch whenever I did make it to New Zealand. I, however, am completely swept up in the Blog4NZ worldwide blogosphere event and can hardly think of anything other than traveling to New Zealand. So, today I continued my debate with Pokey using information about other extremely rare animals to entice her.
My friend Jim at Holes in My Soles sent me some photos from the Nga Manu Nature Reserve and the place looks amazing! It is one of those places where I want to pack a picknick lunch (and maybe dinner too) so I can just sit and watch the animals because I know how lucky I am to be in their presence. Some animals are so rare that most of the world will never see them in real life.
First I showed Pokey The Tuatara. Sometimes called a "living fossil" this reptile has been around since dinasour times and is only found in New Zealand. Pokey agreed the Tuatara sounded pretty cool and perked up slightly when I told her they were both members of the reptile family. My hopes of winning her approval rose slightly.
Then Pokey saw the pictures of the eels and her mother's creepy smile as she thought about feeding them...
Then came the photo of a Weta. What's that, you ask? An insect that has been around since before the dinosaurs. I think it looks a little scary, but interesting here. I've never been a girl to freak out about seeing a bug before. Yet, after a bit further research, I learned this particular insect took out the rat population in New Zealand. I'm not sure if I should be frightened of them or tempted to bring one back to the U.S.? Obviously I wouldn't actually bring one, but which is the normal human response to a giant insect?
Pokey was a little upset by how much these creatures enticed my curiosity. So, although I'm convinced she did see the value of a trip to view such a unique country, she is now giving me the silent treatment. She stomped off into her log cave for the day and won't come out. I guess we'll have to continue the conversation tomorrow.
Then Pokey saw the pictures of the eels and her mother's creepy smile as she thought about feeding them...
Then came the photo of a Weta. What's that, you ask? An insect that has been around since before the dinosaurs. I think it looks a little scary, but interesting here. I've never been a girl to freak out about seeing a bug before. Yet, after a bit further research, I learned this particular insect took out the rat population in New Zealand. I'm not sure if I should be frightened of them or tempted to bring one back to the U.S.? Obviously I wouldn't actually bring one, but which is the normal human response to a giant insect?
Pokey was a little upset by how much these creatures enticed my curiosity. So, although I'm convinced she did see the value of a trip to view such a unique country, she is now giving me the silent treatment. She stomped off into her log cave for the day and won't come out. I guess we'll have to continue the conversation tomorrow.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Pokey vs New Zealand Travel
by Rachel Hoyt
Hey there readers. Pokey and I have been having a little argument. I've been trying to tell her that I want to promote tourism in New Zealand as part of a worldwide blogosphere event - Blog4NZ - but she just won't stand for it. Pokey claims that she never knew anything happy about New Zealand until we read about the Turtle Lady a few weeks ago. Now Pokey wants me to promise I won't go there until the Turtle Lady has recovered from her losses.
I know what you're thinking. Pokey can't talk. Well, you are right, but she and I communicate telpathically. Sure, I may be interpreting, as I have no training in telepathic communication, but the way that she looks at me says it all. She knows; and she knows that I know that she knows. So, she tells me things.
My argument is this: I haven't taken an exciting trip in a really long time and there are so many fun things to do in New Zealand. Not all areas of NZ were affected by the earthquake, you know? They have 14 national parks there! I can visit a glacier and build my own spa at the hot beach on the same trip. Why would my dear beloved pet want to deprive me of this pleasure?!
Image by Federico Stevanin via freedigitalphoto.net
Hey there readers. Pokey and I have been having a little argument. I've been trying to tell her that I want to promote tourism in New Zealand as part of a worldwide blogosphere event - Blog4NZ - but she just won't stand for it. Pokey claims that she never knew anything happy about New Zealand until we read about the Turtle Lady a few weeks ago. Now Pokey wants me to promise I won't go there until the Turtle Lady has recovered from her losses.
I know what you're thinking. Pokey can't talk. Well, you are right, but she and I communicate telpathically. Sure, I may be interpreting, as I have no training in telepathic communication, but the way that she looks at me says it all. She knows; and she knows that I know that she knows. So, she tells me things.
My argument is this: I haven't taken an exciting trip in a really long time and there are so many fun things to do in New Zealand. Not all areas of NZ were affected by the earthquake, you know? They have 14 national parks there! I can visit a glacier and build my own spa at the hot beach on the same trip. Why would my dear beloved pet want to deprive me of this pleasure?!
This post was written for Blog4NZ. Please tweet it using #Blog4NZ to show your support!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Terrified Turtles
Cheers to Donna, the turtle lady. She was watching over 40 turtles at the time of the Christchurch earthquake. After enduring the destruction of their aquariums and an interim period of plastic tub and shared tank time, the turtles are now on the way to their new home in Napier! Pokey and I salute the turtle lady for her amazing rescue efforts. She has already begun taking in new turtles at her home. Busy, busy, busy...
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
