A visit to New Zealand in 2019.
Things I learned on this trip:
1. New Zealand has no native marsupials or mammals, except for bats. All other mammals, wallabies, cattle, sheep, rabbits, stoats (weasels) are imported or invasive.
2. There are spectacular fields of flowers like Lupine and Yellow (Scotch) Broom all over. They are all nonnative, and invasive.
2. New Zealand was terraformed by British colonization. Forests were cleared for dairy farms, and sheep ranches. Forest dwelling local fauna like the kiwi bird, have disappeared. They blame it on cats.
3. New Zealand is expensive. They insist on growing everything themselves, except bananas. Thus the food is fresh and delicious there. Meat pies are the national snack food and are delicious
4. Kiwis are very friendly people.
5. Kea birds are the smartest birds in the world, capable of solving complex mechanical puzzles, and defeating all measures to keep them out of mischief.
6. The helicopter ride to the top of a mountain overlooking Tasman glacier and Mt. Cook was one of the coolest things I have ever done.