We stopped for lunch at Arthur's Pass General Store and were delighted with our first meal of steak and mushroom pies. Signs in the parking area and on the outside of the building asked visitors not to feed the Kea. While we were eating indoors this cheeky fellow began cruising the outdoor eating area looking for his lunch.
Finished with our meal, we gathered up apples and water for the road and went outside to take photos. I placed my snacks at the farthest away table and walked back to photograph the bird. I was delighted when he turned and walked toward me, rapidly passed me, and then on toward the apples. When I realized where he was headed I tried running after and shooing him away. "No! Those are my apples!!" Guess he didn't understand English. Just as I arrived he grabbed an apple, hopped off the deck, and scurried under the nearest vehicle to eat lunch in peace. Lesson learned!